All HWDSB schools provide opportunities and supports for you to plan your individual pathway through secondary school and make a successful progression to your post-secondary destination.
Exploring, revisiting, and modifying the Individual Pathway Plan (IPP) to reflect objectives and interests is critical as you continue your journey and make pathway choices and informed decisions about your future.
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship is a post-secondary pathway that combines on-the-job training, work experience and technical training that leads to certification in over 150 trades. Employers provide most of the apprenticeship training in the workplace. The remaining training involves in-school sessions offered by approved training delivery agents.
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Once both school and on-the-job components have been satisfied, you can receive a Certificate of Apprenticeship. For trades that have exams, you must pass the exam before they can receive their Certificate of Qualification.
After successfully completing the practical and in-school components, you can take the provincial/interprovincial exam to become a certified journeyperson in a skilled trade. Completing an apprenticeship typically takes a similar amount of time as other post-secondary options and can lead to qualification as a journeyperson.
College
There are 27 colleges in Ontario. Colleges offer a variety of diploma, certificate, and applied degree programs. Ontario colleges offer more than 2,400 program choices in almost 600 subject areas. Programs are career-oriented and geared toward marketable skills.
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The basic admission requirement for post-secondary programs in the Ontario college system is either an OSSD or minimum admission requirements as established by a college on a program-specific basis.
You will need to ensure you meet the admission requirements for programs you are interested in taking. Some programs have specific requirements like course pre-requisites, portfolios, interviews, or admission tests.
It is your responsibility to ensure you know details and meet deadlines to be considered eligible for programs. To obtain detailed information about courses and pro- grams, ask guidance counsellors, visit college websites and review their admission handbooks, guidebooks, viewbooks, and calendars.
Community
Community living involves looking ahead to the future and preparing for adulthood. This pathway includes programming, education opportunities, recreation and social activities.
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Transition planning for post-secondary options will continue at the school level.
The HWDSB website provides a listing of community supports and post-secondary opportunities for students in the areas of community services, continuing education, employment services, recreation and leisure, and transportation services. Many programs require referrals from Contact Hamilton (if under the age of 18) and Developmental Services Ontario (if 18 or older).
University
There are 21 universities across Ontario, offering professional programs in a variety of fields. To determine which program aligns with strengths, interests, and future aspirations, it is essential to gather as much information as possible before selecting a university or program.
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In order to attend university, you must obtain your OSSD. Six of your Grade 12 courses must also be completed at the University or University/College level.
You will need to ensure you meet the admission requirements for programs you are interested in taking. Some programs have specific requirements like course pre-requisites, portfolios, interviews, or admission tests.
It is your responsibility to ensure you know details and meet deadlines to be considered eligible for programs. To obtain detailed information about courses and pro- grams, ask guidance counsellors, visit university websites and review their admission handbooks, guidebooks, viewbooks, and calendars.
Workplace
HWDSB offers several “School to Work” Programs. Some students who choose direct entry to work may later pursue apprenticeship, college and/or university. Opportunities exist in many economic sectors including Construction, Business, Health & Wellness, Manufacturing, Agriculture and more.
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You should consider direct entry to the workplace if you:
- Have developed practical and essential workplace skills that have prepared you for a specific career without needing to pursue college, university or an apprenticeship first.
- Have been successful in workplace pathway courses or programs, and wish to explore workplace opportunities.
- Want to gain work experience and/or earn money before continuing post-secondary education
- Have specific career goals in mind that allow them to go directly to the workplace for on-the-job training.
Updated on Monday, October 16, 2023.