Text Box: Text Box: Frequently Asked Questions About …. University What kinds of programs are offered? Universities offer undergraduate degrees (i.e. BA, B.Sc., B.Comm.) professional degrees (i.e. MD, LLB) and graduate degrees (i.e. Master’s and Ph.D.) What is the job market like for graduates? University graduates generally do very well upon graduation – employment rates are approximately 97% upon graduation How many colleges, universities are there and where are they? There are 19 degree granting institutions in Ontario (including the Royal Military College) – many have affiliate colleges and/or multiple campuses: Brock (St. Catharines); Carleton (Ottawa); U of Guelph; Lakehead (Thunder Bay); Laurentian (Sudbury); McMaster (Hamilton); Nipissing (North Bay); Ontario College of Art and Design (Toronto); U of Ottawa; Queen’s (Kingston); Royal Military College (Kingston); Ryerson (Toronto); U of Toronto (downtown, Scarborough, Mississauga); Trent (Peterborough); U of Waterloo; U of Western Ontario (London); Wilfrid Laurier (Waterloo); U of Windsor; York (Toronto) What is the average length of a program? Most undergraduate degree programs are four years What is the approximate cost for a year? The approximate cost for one year of study if a student moves away from home is $13,500 (includes tuition, student fees, residence, meals, textbooks, personal costs) What are the admission requirements? The basic requirement for admission under the new curriculum is 6 ‘U’ or ‘U/C’ (‘M’) courses; most programs have specific subject requirements; some universities require a minimum number of ‘U’ type courses How does a student apply? Students apply to all universities in Ontario through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (except Royal Military College); application is done through high school guidance/student services offices in late November Are some programs more competitive than others? Yes, some programs are more competitive than others and consequently have higher averages required for admission How are admissions decisions made? Admission decisions are made based on grades/marks though some programs/universities require supplemental information, portfolios or auditions for admission How can I get more information? The web – every university has a website! Check out the following websites as well : www.ouac.on.ca ; www.myfuture.ca Guidance/Student Services office INFO magazine Visit the universities you are interested in! Meet University representatives when they visit your school to do presentations – normally during the Fall months (September to November) – students in grades 11 and 12 are normally invited to attend Text Box: Frequently Asked Questions About …. Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Why choose the skilled trades? Advances in technology are changing the nature of work in the trades. Changing technologies are also creating more new jobs every year. Canada is going to have a dramatic demand for people with excellent technical skills training in the skilled trades and technologies. Many tradespeople today will be retiring in the next ten years leading to a shortage of skilled employees. Skilled tradespeople earn higher than average incomes. Many skilled tradespeople own their own businesses. 40% of new jobs will be in skilled trades and technologies in the next two decades. What is an apprenticeship? A combination of on-the-job training and classroom instruction 80 – 90 per cent of apprenticeship training is provided in the workplace 10 – 20 per cent involves classroom instruction on theory, which is usually given at a local community college, or provided through another approved training organization Length of the apprenticeship varies depending on the trade What is the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program? The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is a specialized program that enables students who are 16 years of age or older to meet secondary diploma requirements while participating in an occupation that requires apprenticeship. What does Trade Certification mean? To be employed in certain skilled trades, workers must have a Certificate of Qualification. This certificate states that they have passed the provincial qualification exam that assesses their knowledge of their skilled trade. To write the provincial exam, applicants must prove they have experience in the trade. How many skilled trades are there? There are over 130 skilled trades that can be classified into five sectors – Construction, Industrial,Service, Motive Power and Human Services. For example, Brick & Stone Mason, Carpenter, Construction Boilermaker, Draftsperson, Electrician, Facilities Systems Technician, Heating System Mechanic, Industrial Electrician, Ironworker, Plumber, Autobody Technician, Motive Power machinist, Small Engine Technician, Baker, Cook, Early Childhood Educator, Hairstylist, Horticulturist, Optics Technician, Painter and Decorator, Machinist, Glazier & Metal Mechanic, Industrial, Woodworker, Metal Mould Maker, Pattern Maker, Steel Fitter, Tool and Die Maker, Industrial Millwright How do I get more information? Contact your school’s guidance department. Contact your local Apprenticeship Office: Kenora Area Office, 810 Robertson Street, Suite 105, Kenora Ontario P9N 4J5 Telephone: (807) 468-2879 Fax: (807) 468-2881, or call the training hotline at 1-800-387-5656. Visit the Ministry of Education and Training at the website www.edu.gov.on.ca for valuable apprenticeship information. Text Box: Frequently Asked Questions About …. Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts & Technology What kinds of programs are offered? Colleges offer programs in Applied Arts, Business, Health and Human Services, and Technology What’s the job market like for graduates? Employment rates are approximately 93% provincially. How many colleges are there and where are they? There are 29 colleges in major cities throughout Ontario: Algonquin College (Ottawa), Le Collège Boréal (Sudbury), Cambrian College (Sudbury), Canadore College (North Bay), Centennial College (Scarborough), Collège d'Alfred (Alfred) , Conestoga College (Kitchener), Confederation College (Thunder Bay), Durham College (Oshawa), Fanshawe College (London), George Brown College (Toronto), Georgian College (Barrie), Le Collège des Grands Lacs (Toronto), Humber College (Etobicoke), Kemptville College (Kemptville), La Cité collégiale (Ottawa), Lambton College (Sarnia), Loyalist College (Belleville), Mohawk College (Hamilton), The Michener Institute (Toronto), Niagara College (Welland), Northern College (Timmins), Ridgetown College (Ridgetown), St. Clair College (Windsor), St. Lawrence College (Kingston), Sault College (Sault Ste. Marie), Seneca College (North York), Sheridan College (Oakville), Sir Sandford Fleming College (Peterborough). Note that Confederation College has campuses in Dryden, Kenora, Sioux Lookout and Fort Frances. What’s the length of programs? College programs can be one, two or three years. Collaborative college/university programs are usually four years. What’s the approximate cost for a year? The approximate cost for one year of study if a student moves away from home is $10,500 (includes tuition, student fees, residence, meals, textbooks, personal costs) What are the admission requirements? Depends on the program, but generally speaking an Ontario Secondary School diploma is required with grade 12 English at the “C” or “U” level for all programs. Some programs also require senior Mathematics and Science “C”, “U/C” or “U”. How does a student apply? Applicants to Ontario Colleges apply through OCAS (Ontario College Application Services). Application forms are submitted through secondary school guidance offices. Are some programs more competitive than others? Yes, particularly in the areas of Health, Human Services, and Media. How are admissions decisions made? Usually by grades, but sometimes by questionnaire and attendance at information sessions. How can I get more information? Contact your school’s guidance department Contact the colleges, or visit the website of the Ontario College Application Services at www.ocas.on.ca Text Box: Deciding whether to go to work, college, university or to apprentice upon completion of secondary school is no easy task. The number of careers to choose from are endless. However, one thing is certain – good decisions are based on good planning. Choice of destination will be influenced by students’ interests and strengths, as well as, course selection and achievement. Determining the appropriate level – Applied, Academic, Essential and later, Workplace, College or University – sets the stage for future career opportunities. In all cases, the need to plan ahead, research and investigate options is essential. This guide is designed to inform students and parents about the four destinations and provide contacts and resources for future investigations. Text Box: Choosing a DestinationText Box: Frequently Asked Questions About …. Work Where are the jobs without a high school diploma? The largest distribution of workers without their diplomas work in Sales and Service. Jobs such as, Supermarket Clerk, Telephone Solicitor, and Window Cleaners are just a few of the many jobs in this area. Other sectors include: Trades, Transport & Equipment Operation, Business, Finance & Administration. Where are the jobs with a high school diploma but no post-secondary training? The largest distribution of workers with a high school diploma only work in Business, Finance & Administration. Types of jobs include: Court Clerks, Receptionists, Telephone Operators. Other sectors include: Sales & Service and Trades, Transport & Equipment Operation. How do I choose the right job? When determining what to do, consider your goals, your skills and interests, your education and when you are available to work. Make sure you get information on the labour market and future opportunities for growth. What resources are available to assist me with my search? Within the Kenora, Rainy River Districts there are Career Resource Centres at every secondary school. See list of Career Resource Centres and contact numbers below. What is Job Connect? Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, Job Connect provides young people, who are out of work, with the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge needed to find and keep a job. To find out more about Job Connect contact your local Career Resource Centre. What is cooperative education? Cooperative education is a planned learning experience, for which credits are earned, that integrates classroom theory and learning experiences at the workplace. This is an excellent way to gain work experience and make connections out in the community.