Eves government invests $90 million to improve technological education



TORONTO, June 12 /CNW/ - The Ernie Eves government is investing $90
million over four years including $8 million this year to improve
technological education in Ontario, Deputy Premier and Minister of Education
Elizabeth Witmer announced today. The funding will be used to purchase new
equipment including construction framing tools, automotive hoists and food
preparation equipment.
"Students need the most up-to-date equipment, well-trained teachers and
innovative partnerships with employers and colleges to reach their full
potential in these courses," said Witmer. "The Ontario government has a plan
to provide students with the skills and expertise they need to succeed after
high school, whether they go to university, college, apprenticeship or the
workplace."
An estimated 300,000 students annually will benefit from the
technological education renewal initiative.
"As an organization we strongly believe that the only way to encourage
students to pursue technological courses in high school is by providing them
with the resources and equipment that will prepare them for the workplace.
This announcement will help boards and schools meet this objective," said Gail
Smyth, Executive Director of Skills Canada-Ontario.
In the 2003 Ontario Budget, the government announced a four-year, $90
million technological education renewal initiative that will:
- help refurbish and update the equipment required to offer specialized
programs for students in school-work transition programs;
- enable school boards to develop partnerships with employers to ensure
that specialized programs meet the needs of the workplace; and
- help teachers receive focused training to ensure they are well-
prepared to teach the new technological and vocational curriculum.

The new, four-year initiative responds to extensive consultations by
Garfield Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North, with key stakeholders from industry and
education.
"We are putting more resources and equipment in our schools so students
learn using the latest tools and technology and are ready for the demands of
the 21st century workplace," said Witmer. "Our government strongly believes in
province-wide access to leading-edge apprenticeship and workplace preparation
programs."


Backgrounder
Document d'information
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

EVES GOVERNMENT HELPING STUDENTS SUCCEED

The Ernie Eves government has a plan to provide students with the skills
and expertise they need to succeed after high school, whether they go to
university, college, apprenticeship or the workplace.
It is estimated that more than half of all students who enter Grade 9
will go directly into the workforce after graduating from high school.
Technological and vocational programs offer the skills students need to enter
the workplace in the information technology, automotive and construction
industries, among others.

Improving technological education resources
In the 2003 Ontario Budget, the government announced a four-year, $90
million technological education renewal initiative that will:
- help refurbish and update the equipment required to offer specialized
programs for students in school-work transition programs;
- enable school boards to develop partnerships with employers to ensure
that specialized programs meet the needs of the workplace; and
- help teachers receive focused training to ensure they are well-
prepared to teach the new technological and vocational curriculum.

There are more than 300,000 students enrolled in nine technological
education subject areas in Grades 10 to 12: communications technology;
computer and information science; computer engineering technology;
construction technology; health and personal services; hospitality and tourism
technology; manufacturing technology; technological design; and transportation
technology. There is also a Grade 9 integrated technologies introductory
course.
Renewal plans for technological education programs in secondary schools
may include the following types of expenditures:
- new home construction framing tools such as, table saws, pneumatic
nailers and laser levels;
- CADD (computer aided design and drafting) workstations;
- automotive hoists;
- Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) milling machines;
- food preparation equipment such as refrigerators, ovens and stainless
steel preparation tables;
- repairs and upgrades to fixed equipment such as metal cutting lathes,
band saws and walk-in freezers;
- appropriate personal protective equipment;
- hand and power tools that relate to specific OYAP trades;
- common hand tools such as concrete finishing tools, drywall tools,
portable drills;
- ladders and scaffolding; and,
- modular systems trainers in electronics and computer engineering
technology.

To help young Ontarians acquire the skills needed in today's economy, the
government has also invested $120 million since 2000 to revitalize the
apprenticeship system and to double the number of people entering
apprenticeships in Ontario.

Strategy to help high school students succeed
The Eves government recently announced a $50 million investment to help
students succeed in high school. The Graduate in Ontario by Achieving Literacy
Standards (GOALS) strategy will benefit students who need extra help in
reading, writing and math and in their transition from school to the workplace
or to college and university.

The new strategy includes:
- students-at-risk leaders, who will work with Grade 7 to 12 teachers
and administrators to implement improved teaching methods for students
in literacy and math across the curriculum;
- enhanced workplace preparation programs; and
- better pathways for the transition from school to the workplace.

In addition, a comprehensive, full credit literacy course will provide
intensive literacy instruction and reassess the skills of students in Grade 12
who failed the test. For diploma purposes, passing the course is equivalent to
passing the Grade 10 literacy test.
The strategy aims to support students whether they plan to go on to the
workplace, college or university.

Extra Support for Students
Some students need extra help to achieve the standards set in the
curriculum. The Ontario government is committed to ensuring that schools and
teachers have the resources to provide that extra help.
The Eves government has committed more than $580 million in 2003-2004 to
school boards for remediation programs. The money is distributed in the
following manner:
- $358.3 million for at-risk students including, early literacy (JK to
Grade 3), literacy and math (Grades 7 to 12), GOALS and a demographic
component that provides funding for additional supports.
- $190 million to support English as a second language programs;
- $15 million to support French-language instruction; and
- $20 million for summer school programs.

Märkmed: