Experiential Learning

Schools are offering more opportunities to customize your high school experience and build on your strengths and interests through a variety of new and enhanced learning options including Experiential Learning. Experiential Learning programs such as Co-op, Dual Credits, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) and Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) enhance your academic background and provide you with opportunities to gain valuable experiences in our community.

No matter what your post-secondary pathway may be, experiential learning can assist you in making career decisions and help you develop the knowledge, skills and habits required in the workplace. All forms of experiential learning are a valuable complement to your post-secondary preparation and future employment.

Dual Credit Offerings at Conestoga, Fanshawe and Lambton Colleges

What is a Dual Credit Program

Dual credit programs allow senior high school students the opportunity to earn high school and college credits at the same time. Students typically attend Conestoga, Fanshawe or Lambton College’s campuses once a week for a fifteen week period. This unique arrangement allows you, the student, the chance to experience life and learning in a college environment and allows you to fast track towards your post-secondary goals.

Examples of dual credit offerings include:

• Digital Photography
• Basic Plumbing
• Basic Electrical
• Intro to Early Childhood Education
• Baking & Pastry Arts
• Basic Welding Process and Fabricating
• Health and Wellness Fundamentals
• Recreation and Leisure

Program availability is subject to change. A maximum of 4 college-delivered dual credits can be counted as optional credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Dual Credits cannot be used as substitutions for compulsory credit requirements.

What does it cost?

You pay nothing. All books, transportation and tuition are paid for through grants from the School College Work Initiative (SCWI). SCWI is a collaborative partnership between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development.

What makes a student eligible?

Dual credit programs are intended to assist secondary school students in the completion of their OSSD and provide a successful transition to college and apprenticeship programs. As well, students in Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs and the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Programs (OYAP) are eligible to enroll. Enrolment in half or full day Co-op allows greater flexibility to participate.

How do I apply?

You MUST be referred to the program through your School Student Success Team. Avon Maitland College partners will not accept applications directly.

To find out what dual credit offerings are available and to take advantage of this great opportunity, contact your Guidance Counselor, Student Success teacher or Co-op teacher for an up-to-date listing of course offerings and to obtain an application form. More information can be found at successforlife.ca/dual-credit

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program

• Are you a hands on learner?
• Do you like to solve problems?
• Are you good at fixing things?
• Do you find it difficult to sit in a classroom all day?

If you answered yes to any of the above, the apprenticeship pathway may be for you!

Get started on your apprenticeship while in high school. The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) allows you to be considered an OYAP Participant and earn cooperative education credits for work experience in an apprenticeable trade. You may or may not be formally registered as an apprentice while attending secondary school. To participate in OYAP you must: be at least 16 years of age, have completed a minimum of 16 credits, be a full-time student working towards completion of your diploma and complete the OYAP participant form.

A student who participates in OYAP must have a Personalized Placement Learning Plan (PPLP) that is based on the on-the-job training requirements outlined in the government approved training standard for that trade. Training Standard competency booklets can be found at INSERT: the Ontario College of Trades website. The OYAP program is funded by the Government of Ontario, Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development.

Fast track through an apprenticeship now and take advantage of Dual Credit and Specialist High Skills Major opportunities. See your Guidance Counsellor or Coop teacher to apply. For more information, visit successforlife.ca/oyap and oyap.com.

Specialist High Skills Majors

The SHSM is a specialized program that allows students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector while meeting the requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and assist in their transition from secondary school to apprenticeship training, college, university, or the workplace. SHSM allow students to focus on a career path that matches their skills and interests. Visit www.successforlife.ca to view the SHSM sectors available at this school.

Every SHSM must include the following five components:

1. A bundle of 8-10 Grade 11 and 12 courses in the selected field that includes 2 cooperative education credits
2. Sector-recognized certifications and/or training courses
3. Experiential learning activities within the sector
4. Reach Ahead experiences connected with the student’s chosen post-secondary pathway
5. Development of key Essential Skills and Work Habits required for the sector; and the use of the Ontario Skills Passport (OSP) for purposes of documentation

Benefits to students enrolled in a SHSM program:

• Customize their secondary school education to suit their interests and talents.
• Develop specialized knowledge and skills.
• Earn credits that post-secondary educational institutions and the sector recognize.
• Gain sector-recognized certification and career-relevant training.
• Develop essential skills and work habits documented through the Ontario Skills Passport.
• Identify, explore and refine career goals and make informed decisions about their future.
• Remain flexible, with the option to shift between pathways, should their goals and plans change.

Coop Course Notes:

• Summer school co-op is an option for students enrolled in a Specialist High Skills Major
• SHSM candidates may use up to 4 co-op credits towards their bundle of SHSM requirements.
• 2 co-op credits are required in the SHSM Credit Bundle. Co-op tie-in must be within the approved bundle of credits (GLC2O is also available to be used).
• 1 additional co-op credit can be substituted for one Major credit. Co-op tie-in must be within the approved bundle of credits.
• 1 additional co-op credit can be substituted for one Other required credit. Co-op tie-in must be within the approved bundle of credits.

Construction

High Skills Major Pathways

The SHSM–Construction enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace.

There are four categories of work in the construction industry. Each requires the use of different equipment and workers with a variety of skills. Depending on the career chosen, a graduate could work in any or all of these categories: new home building and renovation, including building, remodeling, or renovating houses and apartment buildings; Heavy industrial construction, including building industrial facilities such as cement, automotive, chemical, or power plants, refineries, and oil-sands installations; Institutional and commercial construction, including building commercial and institutional buildings and structures such as stadiums, schools, hospitals, grain elevators, and swimming pools; civil engineering construction, including engineering projects such as highways, dams, water and sewer lines, power and communication lines, and bridges

Select this link to view the Construction SHSM

Construction

High Skills Major Pathways

The SHSM–Construction enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace.

There are four categories of work in the construction industry. Each requires the use of different equipment and workers with a variety of skills. Depending on the career chosen, a graduate could work in any or all of these categories: new home building and renovation, including building, remodeling, or renovating houses and apartment buildings; Heavy industrial construction, including building industrial facilities such as cement, automotive, chemical, or power plants, refineries, and oil-sands installations; Institutional and commercial construction, including building commercial and institutional buildings and structures such as stadiums, schools, hospitals, grain elevators, and swimming pools; civil engineering construction, including engineering projects such as highways, dams, water and sewer lines, power and communication lines, and bridges

Select this link to view the Construction SHSM

Health and Wellness

High Skills Major Pathways

Kinesiologist, child care worker, audiologist, fitness instructor, doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, youth care worker, hospital porter, and medical technician are just some of the numerous and varied occupations in the health and wellness sector.

The SHSM–Health and Wellness enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. Depending on local circumstances, this SHSM may be designed to have a particular focus – for example, on health care, fitness, or child care and family services.

Manufacturing

High Skills Major Pathways

The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program in Manufacturing gives students an opportunity to specialize, gain qualifications, and plan a career pathway in various areas of the Manufacturing sector while still in high school. The SHSM Program has a number of required training components and certifications, designed to prepare students for post-secondary opportunities in each of the identified sectors, valuing all 4 destinations.

Avon Maitland District eLearning Centre

AMDEC is a fully online secondary school within the Avon Maitland DSB, which offers courses from grade 9 to grade 12 in most subject areas. Our courses are taught by experienced AMDSB teachers who are committed to student success through a quality eLearning experience. Your success as a student is also supported by our principal, vice principal, guidance counsellor, technical help department, office staff and the home school. We believe that our program provides an excellent educational opportunity for all of our students.

AMDEC delivers semestered, as well as non-semestered continuous intake courses. With the permission of your home school, you may start AMDEC courses any time between September and mid-February, but all students must finish by early June. You have some flexible deadlines for your assignments; however, you are responsible for establishing a schedule that meets both AMDEC’s due dates and your own needs (for example, completing the course by the end of first semester or meeting postsecondary mark submission deadlines). Module completion requirements and a list of important due dates are posted in the Student Handbook and are also available on our website: www.amdec.ca.

Students wishing to take an AMDEC course must register through the guidance department of their home school. You may consider eLearning courses for a number of reasons: to take a course that is not offered at your home school; to solve a timetable conflict; and to experience eLearning before starting post-secondary education. To succeed in eLearning you need skills in: self-motivation, organization, self-direction, time management, computer proficiency, and honesty.

Mandatory Courses by Grade

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