Hamilton Students Flying High With New Aviation Program
September 9, 2009 10:30 AM
McGuinty Government Giving Local Students A Jump-Start On Their Careers
High school students in Hamilton can start learning to become a commercial pilot, cargo attendant and aerospace engineer through the new Specialist High Skills Major in aviation and aerospace.
Ancaster High School is one of the first schools in the province to offer the new major.
There are now 16 different majors ranging from construction to agriculture available across the province.
Majors are bundles of eight to 10 courses that help students focus on a future career through more hands-on learning opportunities. The program has helped raise Ontario's graduation rate from 68 to 77 per cent in four years.
QUICK FACTS
- Other potential careers to explore through the aviation and aerospace major include aircraft maintenance engineer, aviation technician, control technician and tarmac signaller.
- Hamilton Wentworth school boards currently offer 8 different majors in 18 of its schools.
- Specialist High Skills Majors are available in more than 430 Ontario high schools.
LEARN MORE
CONTACTS
- Michelle Despault
Minister's Office
416-212-3747
michelle.despault@ontario.ca
- Patricia MacNeil
Communications Branch
416-325-2676
patricia.macneil@ontario.ca
ontario.ca/education
Broadening students’ horizons through the Specialist High Skill Major
"Innovative high school programs, like the Specialist High Skills Major, have helped an additional 36,000 students graduate since 2003. We are helping students get a jump-start on their careers and supporting Ontario's future prosperity."
– Kathleen Wynne
Minister of Education
"Hamilton students are getting hands-on work experience in their community and opportunities to test-drive their career interests while in high school."
– Ted McMeekin
MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale
"This program is helping more Hamilton students graduate by allowing them to tailor their high school experience to suit their individual strengths, goals and interests."
– Sophia Aggelonitis
MPP for Hamilton Mountain
"We are proud to be one the first school boards in Ontario to give our students the unique opportunity to major in aviation and aerospace. This program will provide students with a new way to learn so they can achieve success while supporting the growing demand of this industry in the Hamilton area."
– John Malloy
director of education, Hamilton Wentworth District School Board
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