News
Wilkinson Announces More Opportunities For Area High School StudentsJune 16, 2010Ontario Expands Specialist High Skills Major Program
St. Marys -More Perth County high school students will get an academic and career edge with the expansion of the Specialist High School Majors program at local schools this fall, John Wilkinson, MPP, Perth-Wellington announced today. He was joined by Jenny Versteeg, Chair of the Avon Maitland District School Board and Chuck Reid, Director of Education. “We are helping more students succeed by giving them work experience in their community and opportunities to test drive their career interests while in school,” said Wilkinson. “Partnerships with local business assist our students to gain skills in high school that will help them make the right career choices. It is a winning combination both for students and our rural communities and I am pleased that all our Perth County secondary schools can provide their students with this excellent learning opportunity.” This specialized secondary school program helps students earn credits towards their diploma, gain sector certifications and focus on future careers through more hands on leaning opportunities and workplace experiences. In Perth County, new majors being offered in 2010-11 include: “Offering specialized programs such as these help our students identify a clear pathway to a career, gain valuable experience and enhanced certification,” said Jenny Versteeg, Chair, AMDSB. “The interest being generated in these programs further engages our students in the learning and improves student achievement and graduation rates.” “I am thrilled that we are providing more hands-on learning opportunities for our high school students. Our Specialist High Skills Major program is one of the initiatives that has helped more than 52,500 additional students graduate since 2004.” – Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Education http://www.johnwilkinson.onmpp.ca/pressreleases.aspx?id=97 |