Visit the Grade 12 Information Hub on D2L for:

  • Post-Secondary Resources
  • Scholarship/Bursary Information
  • Convocation Information

WCDSB Pathways icons: Apprenticeship, College, Community, University, and Work

It is never too early to start planning for life beyond high school! 

  • Make sure you’re on track to meet graduation requirements
  • Build on the research and planning you started in your grade 10 Career Studies course
  • Use the tools under the “Post-Secondary” and “Work” tabs in myBlueprint
  • Talk to parents, teachers, siblings, neighbours, employers
  • Use the information and links under the tabs below to dive deeper into potential pathways
  • Be flexible! Recognize that plans can and frequently do change over time
Who am I? What are my opportunities? Who do I want to become? What is my plan for achieving my goals?

What is an apprenticeship?

  • A combination of on-the-job- training and classroom instruction:
    • 80-90% of apprenticeship training is provided in the workplace
    • 10-20% 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.

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.

Get started while you’re still in high school!

Links for further research:

Managing Your Money, Now and in the Future

Why Choose College?

  • Ontario’s public colleges offer over 4500 programs, ranging from one-year diplomas to 4-year degrees in Applied Arts, Business, Health and Human Services, and Technology
  • There are currently 27 colleges in major cities throughout Ontario
  • Many of these programs offer collaborative, consecutive, or degree transfer options to University at a later time (i.e. opportunities to earn a diploma and a degree in less time than it would take to complete these programs separately)
  • Record numbers of University graduates are applying to College programs to increase their employment opportunities
  • Employment rates are currently at around 93% for Ontario College graduates

Get started while you’re still in high school!

Requirements:

  • Almost all diploma programs require at least that students have graduated with their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with at least grade 12 College-level English (ENG4C)
  • Some programs will have additional requirements in addition to the OSSD and English: For example many Business programs will require certain high school math courses, and Science/Technology programs may require additional maths and sciences
  • When you apply to certificate or diploma programs (typically 1-3 years) colleges will consider your grades only in the required courses (although they may look back at gr 11 marks in these subjects if you haven’t yet completed the gr 12 course at the time you apply)
    • For example, the Electronics Engineering Technician diploma program at Conestoga College requires the OSSD, gr 12 English (ENG4C or ENG4U) and a gr 12 math (MCT4C or MHF4U or MCV4U or MDM4U).  These are the only marks they consider when evaluating your application
  • When you apply to degree programs (typically 4 years) the requirements are the same as degree programs offered through Ontario universities: Colleges consider grades in six gr 12 courses at university-level (4U) or university/college-level (4M).  Any courses listed in the admission requirements for a specific program will be included among these six.

Researching College Programs

Applying to an Ontario College

*** Be sure you submitted the POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION Consent form with your registration forms at the start of the school year.  This allows the school to share your transcript with colleges &/or universities ***

  • Apply through OntarioColleges.ca
  • You will need to create an account — recommend you use a personal email address rather than your school email address
  • You will need your OEN (Ontario Education Number) and your Student Number.  You can find these in Aspen
  • There is a $150 non-refundable fee to submit your application
    • You may apply to a maximum of five programs
    • No more than three of these programs can be at any one college
  • Applications typically open in October.  Plan to complete and submit your application no later than February 1st.  All applications received by this date receive equal consideration.  Some less competitive programs continue to consider applications after this date on a first-come-first-served basis
  • Refer to OntarioColleges.ca for Important Dates and Deadlines

Financing Your Education

  • Research the tuition, books, and other fees associated with your program choices on the college’s website
  • It’s never too early to begin planning to finance your education: considerations include family savings & investments (e.g. RESPs), earnings from part-time & summer jobs, scholarship & bursary opportunities, and government grants & loans (e.g. OSAP)
  • Visit the Awards, Bursaries and Scholarships page on OntarioColleges.ca
  • The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) provides grants and loans to eligible Ontario residents in approved full-time and part-time programs of study.  Use the Aid Estimator on the OSAP website to get an idea of what you might expect to receive
  • Research scholarships and bursaries on sites such as yconic and ScholarshipsCanada.com
  • The Ontario School Counsellors’ Association maintains a list of scholarships and financial aid
  • DisabilityAwards.ca compiles scholarships and bursaries available to students with disabilities
  • Visit the Financial Aid section of your college’s website for opportunities specific to their institution &/or programs
  • Watch for school announcements about scholarship opportunities and awards

Managing Your Money, Now and in the Future

The ACTIVE and Community Living programs at St. David are designed to help prepare students for life in the community upon exiting secondary school

  • Special Education staff, parents, and community support agencies work collaboratively to plan and prepare students for life after high school
  • Options include, but are not limited to volunteer work, paid employment and participation in recreational programs
  • Some students may be able to access specialized programs offered at Ontario Community Colleges (e.g. Community Integration through Co-operative Education – CICE – offered at Conestoga College)
  • Students in this pathway may remain in secondary school until June of the year that the student turns 21 years of age
  • For those students with more complex needs who will require community supports upon leaving secondary school, the WCDSB Community and Workplace Officer is available to assist school staff, the student and the family with transition planning. The transition process for these students must be started 4-5 years prior to leaving school, in order to coordinate agency supports, as extensive wait lists exist for these supports.

Additional Resources

Why Choose University?

Get started while you’re still in high school!

Requirements

  • In addition to graduating with the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), universities consider grades in six gr 12 courses at university-level (4U) or university/college-level (4M).  Any courses listed in the admission requirements for a specific program will be included among these six.
    • For example, the Honours Arts and Business (BA) program at University of Waterloo requires gr. 12 university-level English (ENG4U) plus any five other gr. 12 courses at university-level (4U) or university/college-level (4M)
    • As another example, the Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology and Bioengineering (BSc) program at Wilfrid Laurier University requires gr 12 university-level English (ENG4U), advanced functions (MHF4U), biology (SBI4U), chemistry (SCH4U) plus any two other gr 12 courses at university-level (4U) or university/college-level (4M)
  • Admission requirements for degree programs offered through Ontario colleges are typically the same as those for a similar degree offered through a university
  • Many programs are highly competitive
    • OUInfo.ca (see below) lists the typical grade range required for admission to each program
    • Research specific programs on the university’s website for more information about academic requirements
    • It’s important to have realistic expectations when planning your application choices, and to keep a “Plan A”, “Plan B” and “Plan C” in mind

Researching University Programs

Applying to an Ontario University

*** Be sure you submitted the POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION Consent form with your registration forms at the start of the school year.  This allows the school to share your transcript with colleges &/or universities ***

  • Apply through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) for programs offered at Ontario Universities
  • For most degree programs offered through Ontario Colleges, a separate application is required through OntarioColleges.ca, although some require application through OUAC — research carefully!
  • You will need to create an account — recommend you use a personal email address rather than your school email address
  • You will need your OEN (Ontario Education Number).  You can find this in Aspen
  • The base fee is $156 for application to three programs, payable when you submit your completed application.  Additional program applications can be purchased for $50 each.  Application fees are non-refundable.  Some programs have additional application fees.  Visit OUAC Undergraduate Fees for more information
  • Applications typically open in October. Plan to complete and submit your application no later than January 15.  All applications received by this date receive equal consideration.  A small number of less competitive programs continue to consider applications after this date on a first-come-first-served basis
  • After you’ve applied, watch your email for next steps.  Many programs have supplemental application procedures or additional information forms with specific deadlines attached.
  • Refer to the OUAC website for Deadlines and Key Dates and for Frequently Asked Questions

Financing Your Education

  • Research the tuition, books, and other fees associated with your program choices on the University’s &/or College’s website
  • It’s never too early to begin planning to finance your education: considerations include family savings & investments (e.g. RESPs), earnings from part-time & summer jobs, scholarship & bursary opportunities, and government grants & loans (e.g. OSAP)
  • The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) provides grants and loans to eligible Ontario residents in approved full-time and part-time programs of study.  Use the Aid Estimator on the OSAP website to get an idea of what you might expect to receive
  • Research scholarships and bursaries on sites such as yconic and ScholarshipsCanada.com
  • The Ontario School Counsellors’ Association maintains a list of scholarships and financial aid
  • DisabilityAwards.ca compiles scholarships and bursaries available to students with disabilities
  • Visit the Financial Aid section of your university’s website for opportunities specific to their institution &/or programs
  • Watch for school announcements about scholarship opportunities and awards

Managing Your Money, Now and in the Future

Ready for the Workplace?

  • Some students enter the Workplace straight out of high school, either to pursue their career or to earn money while saving for other post-secondary goals
  • This includes students who plan to take a gap year (see resources below)
  • The largest distribution of workers with a high school diploma work in Business, Finance & Administration
  • Types of jobs include: Court Clerks, Receptionist, and Telephone Operators. Other sectors include: Sales & Service and Trades, Transport & Equipment Operation
  • While some jobs are available to those without a high school diploma, the most opportunities now and in the future are available to those who have graduated with the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)

Resources

Managing Your Money, Now and in the Future

What is an apprenticeship?

  • A combination of on-the-job- training and classroom instruction:
    • 80-90% of apprenticeship training is provided in the workplace
    • 10-20% 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.

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.

Get started while you’re still in high school!

Links for further research:

Managing Your Money, Now and in the Future

Why Choose College?

  • Ontario’s public colleges offer over 4500 programs, ranging from one-year diplomas to 4-year degrees in Applied Arts, Business, Health and Human Services, and Technology
  • There are currently 27 colleges in major cities throughout Ontario
  • Many of these programs offer collaborative, consecutive, or degree transfer options to University at a later time (i.e. opportunities to earn a diploma and a degree in less time than it would take to complete these programs separately)
  • Record numbers of University graduates are applying to College programs to increase their employment opportunities
  • Employment rates are currently at around 93% for Ontario College graduates

Get started while you’re still in high school!

Requirements:

  • Almost all diploma programs require at least that students have graduated with their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with at least grade 12 College-level English (ENG4C)
  • Some programs will have additional requirements in addition to the OSSD and English: For example many Business programs will require certain high school math courses, and Science/Technology programs may require additional maths and sciences
  • When you apply to certificate or diploma programs (typically 1-3 years) colleges will consider your grades only in the required courses (although they may look back at gr 11 marks in these subjects if you haven’t yet completed the gr 12 course at the time you apply)
    • For example, the Electronics Engineering Technician diploma program at Conestoga College requires the OSSD, gr 12 English (ENG4C or ENG4U) and a gr 12 math (MCT4C or MHF4U or MCV4U or MDM4U).  These are the only marks they consider when evaluating your application
  • When you apply to degree programs (typically 4 years) the requirements are the same as degree programs offered through Ontario universities: Colleges consider grades in six gr 12 courses at university-level (4U) or university/college-level (4M).  Any courses listed in the admission requirements for a specific program will be included among these six.

Researching College Programs

Applying to an Ontario College

*** Be sure you submitted the POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION Consent form with your registration forms at the start of the school year.  This allows the school to share your transcript with colleges &/or universities ***

  • Apply through OntarioColleges.ca
  • You will need to create an account — recommend you use a personal email address rather than your school email address
  • You will need your OEN (Ontario Education Number) and your Student Number.  You can find these in Aspen
  • There is a $150 non-refundable fee to submit your application
    • You may apply to a maximum of five programs
    • No more than three of these programs can be at any one college
  • Applications typically open in October.  Plan to complete and submit your application no later than February 1st.  All applications received by this date receive equal consideration.  Some less competitive programs continue to consider applications after this date on a first-come-first-served basis
  • Refer to OntarioColleges.ca for Important Dates and Deadlines

Financing Your Education

  • Research the tuition, books, and other fees associated with your program choices on the college’s website
  • It’s never too early to begin planning to finance your education: considerations include family savings & investments (e.g. RESPs), earnings from part-time & summer jobs, scholarship & bursary opportunities, and government grants & loans (e.g. OSAP)
  • Visit the Awards, Bursaries and Scholarships page on OntarioColleges.ca
  • The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) provides grants and loans to eligible Ontario residents in approved full-time and part-time programs of study.  Use the Aid Estimator on the OSAP website to get an idea of what you might expect to receive
  • Research scholarships and bursaries on sites such as yconic and ScholarshipsCanada.com
  • The Ontario School Counsellors’ Association maintains a list of scholarships and financial aid
  • DisabilityAwards.ca compiles scholarships and bursaries available to students with disabilities
  • Visit the Financial Aid section of your college’s website for opportunities specific to their institution &/or programs
  • Watch for school announcements about scholarship opportunities and awards

Managing Your Money, Now and in the Future

The ACTIVE and Community Living programs at St. David are designed to help prepare students for life in the community upon exiting secondary school

  • Special Education staff, parents, and community support agencies work collaboratively to plan and prepare students for life after high school
  • Options include, but are not limited to volunteer work, paid employment and participation in recreational programs
  • Some students may be able to access specialized programs offered at Ontario Community Colleges (e.g. Community Integration through Co-operative Education – CICE – offered at Conestoga College)
  • Students in this pathway may remain in secondary school until June of the year that the student turns 21 years of age
  • For those students with more complex needs who will require community supports upon leaving secondary school, the WCDSB Community and Workplace Officer is available to assist school staff, the student and the family with transition planning. The transition process for these students must be started 4-5 years prior to leaving school, in order to coordinate agency supports, as extensive wait lists exist for these supports.

Additional Resources

Why Choose University?

Get started while you’re still in high school!

Requirements

  • In addition to graduating with the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), universities consider grades in six gr 12 courses at university-level (4U) or university/college-level (4M).  Any courses listed in the admission requirements for a specific program will be included among these six.
    • For example, the Honours Arts and Business (BA) program at University of Waterloo requires gr. 12 university-level English (ENG4U) plus any five other gr. 12 courses at university-level (4U) or university/college-level (4M)
    • As another example, the Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology and Bioengineering (BSc) program at Wilfrid Laurier University requires gr 12 university-level English (ENG4U), advanced functions (MHF4U), biology (SBI4U), chemistry (SCH4U) plus any two other gr 12 courses at university-level (4U) or university/college-level (4M)
  • Admission requirements for degree programs offered through Ontario colleges are typically the same as those for a similar degree offered through a university
  • Many programs are highly competitive
    • OUInfo.ca (see below) lists the typical grade range required for admission to each program
    • Research specific programs on the university’s website for more information about academic requirements
    • It’s important to have realistic expectations when planning your application choices, and to keep a “Plan A”, “Plan B” and “Plan C” in mind

Researching University Programs

Applying to an Ontario University

*** Be sure you submitted the POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION Consent form with your registration forms at the start of the school year.  This allows the school to share your transcript with colleges &/or universities ***

  • Apply through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) for programs offered at Ontario Universities
  • For most degree programs offered through Ontario Colleges, a separate application is required through OntarioColleges.ca, although some require application through OUAC — research carefully!
  • You will need to create an account — recommend you use a personal email address rather than your school email address
  • You will need your OEN (Ontario Education Number).  You can find this in Aspen
  • The base fee is $156 for application to three programs, payable when you submit your completed application.  Additional program applications can be purchased for $50 each.  Application fees are non-refundable.  Some programs have additional application fees.  Visit OUAC Undergraduate Fees for more information
  • Applications typically open in October. Plan to complete and submit your application no later than January 15.  All applications received by this date receive equal consideration.  A small number of less competitive programs continue to consider applications after this date on a first-come-first-served basis
  • After you’ve applied, watch your email for next steps.  Many programs have supplemental application procedures or additional information forms with specific deadlines attached.
  • Refer to the OUAC website for Deadlines and Key Dates and for Frequently Asked Questions

Financing Your Education

  • Research the tuition, books, and other fees associated with your program choices on the University’s &/or College’s website
  • It’s never too early to begin planning to finance your education: considerations include family savings & investments (e.g. RESPs), earnings from part-time & summer jobs, scholarship & bursary opportunities, and government grants & loans (e.g. OSAP)
  • The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) provides grants and loans to eligible Ontario residents in approved full-time and part-time programs of study.  Use the Aid Estimator on the OSAP website to get an idea of what you might expect to receive
  • Research scholarships and bursaries on sites such as yconic and ScholarshipsCanada.com
  • The Ontario School Counsellors’ Association maintains a list of scholarships and financial aid
  • DisabilityAwards.ca compiles scholarships and bursaries available to students with disabilities
  • Visit the Financial Aid section of your university’s website for opportunities specific to their institution &/or programs
  • Watch for school announcements about scholarship opportunities and awards

Managing Your Money, Now and in the Future

Ready for the Workplace?

  • Some students enter the Workplace straight out of high school, either to pursue their career or to earn money while saving for other post-secondary goals
  • This includes students who plan to take a gap year (see resources below)
  • The largest distribution of workers with a high school diploma work in Business, Finance & Administration
  • Types of jobs include: Court Clerks, Receptionist, and Telephone Operators. Other sectors include: Sales & Service and Trades, Transport & Equipment Operation
  • While some jobs are available to those without a high school diploma, the most opportunities now and in the future are available to those who have graduated with the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)

Resources

Managing Your Money, Now and in the Future