As an important foundational step towards establishing the Level 1 Commercial Vehicle Apprenticeship Program, the Upper Canada District School Board has signed a lease agreement with the Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre.
Set to launch for September 2021, 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 local and provincial need for skilled trades workers. The training program is possible as a result of the recent Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development’s approval of Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre as a Commercial Vehicle apprenticeship training delivery agent. The UCDSB is leading the program’s creation and delivery that will involve, and ultimately serve, all four regional public school boards.
This lease-signing agreement is the first step to bringing this program forward, moving T.R. Leger into the Campus’ Power and Equipment Building.
“We’re excited by T.R. Leger’s expanded footprint on the Kemptville Campus,” says UCDSB Board of Trustees Chair John McAllister. “Today’s signing establishes our physical presence in this existing school and training facility, and it will allow us to move forward to support students with community-based learning and trade certifications. This approach certainly aligns with what we know are emerging priorities of local municipalities and County Councils.”
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 through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP). In addition, the UCDSB envisions future opportunities for micro-credential training for secondary students in Specialist High Skills Major programs. T.R. Leger’s presence in this new location also expands opportunities for areas students who are enrolled in the Adult English as a Second Language (ESL), Skills Training and Employment Preparation (STEP), and Settlement Services programs.
“There are multiple pathways to our programming, and all complement this Level 1 Apprenticeship offering,” says T.R. Leger Principal Sandy McInnes. “We will continue to seek pathways and future opportunities for our students by creating programming that is connected to their career goals.”
