October 23, 2020 (Kemptville, ON) – The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) is delighted by today’s announcement that the Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre has received the green light to become a training facility for the Level 1 Commercial Vehicle and Equipment training though the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP). The UCDSB looks forward to developing this opportunity in partnership.
The program approval came following the Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre’s joint Training Delivery Application (TDA) with the UCDSB and Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario (CEPEO).
The welcomed announcement came today from Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark on behalf of the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton at the Kemptville Campus.
This training program will build on the existing adult education opportunities established by the UCDSB at the Kemptville Campus, primarily through the T.R. Leger School of Adult, Alternative and Continuing Education, and address a growing, provincial need for skilled trades workers. This program will allow full-time adult students and high school students to gain experience and Level 1 training in Truck and Coach Technician, Heavy Equipment Technician, and Agricultural Equipment Technician though OYAP. The goal is that this opportunity will be expanded to Specialist High School Major programming in the future.
“This successful TDA application is an important development in the shared vision of the UCDSB and our community partners to create multiple entry points, in both official languages, for community-based learning and trade certifications,” said UCDSB Chair John McAllister. “We are pleased to celebrate what promises to be a strong, local opportunity for skill development, employment, and continuing education in the trades.”
The UCDSB is ready to take a lead role in the development and facilitation of the program. Students will take theoretical course components online and participate in hands-on learning at the Kemptville Campus training facility.
"This represents a significant evolution in the role that Kemptville Campus will play in the education and economic development sectors in our region,” said North Grenville Mayor Nancy Peckford. "We’ve been working closely with Minister Clark’s office and would like to recognize the province’s commitment to advancing this goal. Deputy Mayor Jim McManaman and I want to also sincerely thank all four school boards for their collaboration and enthusiasm to work together on this initiative. With strong relationships – and the support of industry partners – we will once again be able to deliver much-needed skills training to our youth from Eastern Ontario right here at Kemptville Campus."
“Today is another big step forward in the revitalization of the Kemptville Campus. I’m so pleased that our government has recognized the need to give students from Eastern Ontario the opportunity to train for a career in the trades close to home – as they have done here for generations,” added Clark.
This new program is projected to be available starting September 2021.
For more information, contact:
April Scott-Clarke
Manager of Communications
Upper Canada District School Board
[email protected]