Building the Future: SMCDSB High Schools Celebrate National Skilled Trades and Technology Week
Barrie, ON – November 3, 2025 – The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board (SMCDSB) is proud to join organizations across Canada in celebrating National Skilled Trades and Technology Week (NSTTW), running from November 3 to 9. This national initiative is dedicated to raising awareness about the rewarding, high-tech, and in-demand careers found in the skilled trades sector.
With a significant and growing demand for skilled professionals in Ontario, NSTTW is a vital reminder that a career in the trades offers secure employment, competitive wages, and satisfying opportunities for creativity and problem-solving.
The Launchpad: OYAP at All Nine High Schools
At the heart of the SMCDSB’s commitment to career pathways is the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP). Every one of our nine high schools offers students in Grades 11 and 12 the chance to explore these career options directly through cooperative education (co-op).
The OYAP program allows students to earn high school credits while gaining practical, hands-on experience in a trade placement. In many cases, students can formally register as apprentices while still in high school, giving them a significant head start on their journey to becoming a certified journeyperson.
Showcase of Skills: Courses Available Across the Board
SMCDSB high schools are equipped with outstanding technological education facilities where students can discover and build foundational skills in various trade sectors:
Construction and Carpentry: Students get hands-on experience in planning, design, framing, and finishing. These courses are the perfect starting point for future General Carpenters, Cabinet Makers, and Renovation Specialists. The skills learned here are directly applicable to the Accelerated Level 1 Carpentry OYAP program offered in partnership with Georgian College, where students complete their Level 1 in-school apprenticeship training before graduating.
Motive Power (Automotive): From diagnosing modern vehicle systems to performing essential maintenance, students learn about the mechanics and electronics that power today's transportation. This prepares them for careers as Automotive Service Technicians and Truck and Coach Technicians.
Manufacturing and Industrial Trades: Courses often include Welding and Machining, teaching essential fabrication, precision measurement, and blueprint reading skills. The Accelerated Level 1 Machinist OYAP stream allows qualifying students to jump straight into advanced apprenticeship training.
Service and Hospitality: The trades extend beyond the construction site! Students interested in the service sector can pursue careers like Hairstyling, often facilitated through the Accelerated Level 1 Hairstylist OYAP program, or explore roles like Cook and Baker through culinary arts programs.
Technology and Electronics: With modern trades requiring increasing technological expertise, courses in Electrical, Robotics, and Computer Technology provide the foundation for future Electricians, HVAC Technicians, and Industrial Mechanics (Millwrights).
This NSTTW, we encourage students and their families to look closer at the possibilities offered through OYAP and Technological Education. These programs don't just teach a job; they foster valuable problem-solving abilities, practical skills, and resilience that lead to highly successful careers.
Next Steps for Students: Interested in earning credits while working toward your apprenticeship? Talk to your school's Guidance Counsellor or Co-op Education Teacher today to learn more about the OYAP pathways available at your high school.