Successful Pilot Program Creates New Opportunities For Youth

    TORONTO, June 21 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is giving youth who left
high school without a diploma, a shot at success with the recent completion of
the first-ever OPS Learn and Work Pilot Program.
    "We are building opportunities for students to succeed by offering an
innovative way to complete their education and offer real-life work
experience," said Gerry Phillips, Minister of Government Services. "I'm
pleased with the initial success of this program and the promise it holds for
the future."
    The OPS Learn and Work Pilot Program was designed for youth between the
ages of 16 and 18 who had left school without a diploma. Those who completed
the program earned up to five credits and had 18 weeks of paid work experience
in the Ontario Public Service and its Crown agencies, making up one academic
semester.
    "I would like to commend these students for successfully completing this
program, for being committed to their education and for taking personal
responsibility for their future success," said Mary Anne Chambers, Minister of
Children and Youth Services. "Our government is committed to providing
opportunities for them to reach their full potential."
    Funded by the Ministry of Education, the pilot program was held at Lester
B. Pearson Collegiate Institute in Scarborough's Malvern community.
    "The OPS Learn and Work Pilot Program has been a wonderful example of a
government partnership that has supported success in the public education
system," said Anne Seymour, Principal of Lester B. Pearson. "We hope that the
results of this project can be used to develop a model which can assist other
students across the province of Ontario."
    "No government initiative is more essential to Ontario's future than our
plan to give students more relevant and high-quality education choices that
will keep them learning until age 18 or graduation," said Kathleen Wynne,
Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education. "The OPS Learn and Work
Pilot Program is one of many ways we are modernizing education so more
students can reach their full potential."
    The pilot program will continue during the academic semester in 2006/07.
Details will be announced shortly.
    The OPS Learn and Work Pilot Program is part of the McGuinty government's
$28.5 million Youth Opportunities Strategy, a broad plan to help young people
faced with significant challenges achieve individual success and promote
stronger and safer communities.
    This is just one example of what the government has done to support
students and young people in this province. Other initiatives include:

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       -   A $1.3 billion Student Success Strategy that is providing more
           students with new programs and support to help them customize
           their education to match their own skills and interests.
       -   Creating 1,000 skilled trades training spaces
       -   Bringing back grants for students who need help the most:
           60,000 students will get grants this coming year
       -   Doubling student aid so families can afford higher education
       -   Introducing an anti-bullying strategy and school safety audits.
    >>

    "Staying in school can be very tough for some students who experience any
number of difficult factors in their lives," said Phillips. "Students who
participated in this program should be very proud of the success they've
achieved."

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    Disponible en français

                              www.mgs.gov.on.ca


    Backgrounder
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                       OPS LEARN AND WORK PILOT PROGRAM
    >>

    The OPS Learn and Work Pilot Program gives youth ages 16 to 18 who have
left school without a diploma the opportunity to earn up to five credits and
gain 18 weeks of paid work experience in the OPS and its related agencies,
making up one academic semester.
    The program contributes to the following government priorities:

    <<
       -   Increasing the high school graduation rate to 85 per cent by 2010
           from 71 per cent as of 2005 by helping more students succeed,
           through increased learning choices and customized programs.
       -   Providing a coordinated approach to preventing youth violence by
           providing new and positive learning and work opportunities for
           youth.
       -   Promoting the OPS as an employer of first choice.
    >>

    Work placements for the pilot program included 10 government ministries,
the Ontario Science Centre, the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal and the
Scarborough Arts Council.
    The Toronto District School Board is an important partner in this
program, providing necessary resources and support.
    This is just one example of the government's Student Success Strategy to
ensure all Ontario students have the opportunity to reach their full potential
and continue learning until the age of 18 or graduation. Other initiatives
include:

    <<
       -   Special credit recovery classes to help students complete credits
           without repeating the entire course
       -   1,600 new or reassigned high school teachers, including
           800 Student Success teachers, dedicated to helping struggling
           students. These teachers work with students to track their
           progress, help students catch up on missing credits and support
           the development of better programs and services
       -   Adding the new Specialist High-Skills Major to the Ontario
           Secondary School Diploma to allow more students to customize their
           education
       -   Expanding cooperative education programs through increased
           partnerships with business and community organizations.
    >>

    Funding for this pilot program was provided by the Ministry of Education.
The pilot will continue in 2006/07 with a new group of students, with funding
to be provided by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. The Ministry of
Government Services administers the program in partnership with the Ministries
of Education and Children and Youth Services and a designated school board.