Welcome to the Ontario Award Canada Co-Curricular Pilot! We are thrilled to have you join this exciting initiative aimed at enhancing the educational experience for students across the province. As educators, you play a vital role in guiding and inspiring young minds, and this pilot provides a unique opportunity to supplement existing curriculum with experienced based learning opportunities.
Ontario Pilot LetterOur Ontario Pilot Partners
The Greater Essex County District School Board, in partnership with the community, provides learning opportunities which support, challenge, and inspire all students to achieve their full potential and enable them to participate meaningfully in their communities.
The Halton Catholic District School Board is a publicly-funded Catholic education system located in the Region of Halton, which spans across four municipalities: Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton, and Oakville. With a focus on Achieving, Believing, and Belonging, HCDSB serves almost 37,000 students across 48 elementary schools, 10 secondary schools, and 3 adult learning sites.
The Peel District School Board serves more than 156,000 students in kindergarten to grade 12. Operating more than 257 schools in the municipalities of Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga. At the Peel board, they inspire success, confidence and hope in each student. Everything they do is designed to help all students reach high levels of achievement.
Fanshawe College is one of Ontario’s largest colleges offering diploma, degree, certificate and apprenticeship programs to 43,000 students each year. Fanshawe has been helping people to unlock their potential and achieve success.
Sheridan has grown from a local college of 400 students to one of Ontario’s leading postsecondary institutions, educating approximately 18,000 full-time and 35,000 continuing and part-time studies students every year on four campuses in three Ontario cities – Oakville, Brampton, and Mississauga.
Throughout their Award experience, your students will have the opportunity to also earn the following micro-certification which can enhance their resumé
Conduct this session with students to help them earn their ‘Portfolio Development’ certification and ‘Advanced Training in a Technology’ certification.
Note: Participation in these certifications is entirely optional. As a teacher, you have the flexibility to provide one, two, all, or none of these certifications based on student experiences, tailored to the unique interests and goals of your curriculum.
Flexibility of the framework
The Award is a framework flexible to align with all curricular subject areas. Below are some examples to help you get started. If your subject is not represented and you require support we are happy to brainstorm alignment with you. You can find a blank lesson template here.
The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) is a specialized high school program that allows students to earn their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and focus their learning on a specific economic sector at the same time.
The Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative focuses on funding projects that recruit, retain, and help women apprentices succeed in the 39 eligible Red Seals trades found predominately in the construction and manufacturing sectors. Below is how a student can participate to the Award through the Women in the Skilled Trades Initiatives.
Deliver the Award through your Career Class. Teachers use the Award as an assessment tool as students personalize their Career Exploration.
Getting Started with Award Delivery
Award Delivery Playbook
This Playbook was designed to help ensure Award Centres and participants are set up for success. This Playbook will guide you through the elements necessary to deliver the Award within your school, tailored for the academic year.
Click here to access the Delivery Playbook
Award Management Playbook
The Award Centre Management Playbook is focused on the administration and operation of the Award Centre itself. It provides comprehensive guidance for efficiently planning and implementing all necessary tasks to manage your Award Centre. This Playbook begins in April so that everything is successfully prepared for at the start of the academic year in September.
Click here to access the Management Playbook
Activity ideas for young people
The activity zone is your go-to spot for all things Award! Whether your students are into sports, learning new skills, helping others, or going on exciting adventures, we’ve got you covered! You can either choose from our awesome activities or have your students come up with their own.
Click here to access the Activity ZoneFrequently Asked Questions
The purpose of this pilot initiative is to enhance the educational experience in Canadian secondary schools by acknowledging and celebrating a diverse range of career paths, including but not limited to skilled trades. By connecting and recognizing real-world experiences with classroom learning, the initiative aims to validate the various skills and talents students acquire outside traditional academic settings.
This co-curricular approach supports learning outcomes and curriculum requirements, enriching students’ overall education and preparing them for future opportunities in multiple fields. Ultimately, this pilot demonstrates a deeper appreciation for diverse paths, encouraging students to see the value of their unique experiences in their personal and academic development.
Participation is open to students aged 14-24 who are enrolled in your school. This pilot is tailored for students seeking to enrich their educational experience by pursuing the Award alongside their curriculum requirements. This dual engagement not only facilitates a comprehensive skill set but also empowers students to make meaningful contributions to their communities while achieving personal goals.
Educators will receive support throughout the duration of the pilot. They will be provided with two Playbooks that clearly outline the necessary steps to facilitate the pilot, including timelines and best practices. This ensures educators have the full autonomy to customize the program according to their specific classroom needs and student interests.
Additionally,
Upon successful completion of the Award, students will receive international recognition with a certificate that highlights their accomplishments. This recognition is valuable for academic and career advancement, as it demonstrates a commitment to personal growth, community service, and skill development. Schools may also host special recognition events to celebrate students’ achievements, further enhancing their sense of accomplishment and motivation to continue their engagement in meaningful activities.
Award Integration in Action
Fanshawe College Becomes First Post-Secondary EOP in Co-curricular Approach
Fanshawe College is the first post-secondary institution in Canada to partner with Award Canada through its Co-curricular Approach to empower educators and students, beginning with Fanshawe's Women in Skilled Trades Program, to build leadership, confidence, and purpose through experiential learning. Read more.
Read More
GECDSB Joins Award Canada's Co-curricular Pilot
A big welcome to the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) as an Award Canada Operating Partner! We’re excited to work alongside GECDSB educators to bring the Award’s experiential learning framework to students in their schools in Ontario.
Read More
Co-curricular Pilot Integrates SHSM
Together with educators and industry leaders, Award Canada is now supporting Ontario high school students earning their Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) diploma.
Read MorePartnerships that are impacting young people in this pilot project
