My question is for the Minister of Education.

As Ontario’s population continues to grow, it is essential that our education system continues to equip our students for the jobs of the future that will help build Ontario.

For 15 years, the previous Liberal government stood idly by as the need for skilled trades workers ballooned and Ontario’s curriculum grew obsolete to address the issue. As a result, Ontario has seen a troublesome decline in apprenticeship certification and trades diplomas earned.

At the same time, young people in the province of Ontario need to find good-paying and dignified jobs to succeed.

Will the minister please explain what measures our government has implemented to close the skills gap between our students and the jobs that we need to fill in Ontario?

In my own riding of Flamborough–Glanbrook, Adventec produces engineered products for the automotive industry that are critical for production of in-demand vehicles. The president of Adventec, Jim Campbell, tells me that he needs more workers to serve consumers in our community. I’ve been told that his company is consistently short at least eight workers. Specifically, Jim needs machinists and other technical skilled trades workers who will help his business grow. I know that this is a problem faced by many businesses right across Ontario.

Can the minister please elaborate on how our government is connecting young people with the jobs of Ontario in the future?

I want to thank the member from Flamborough–Glanbrook for this important question.

We believe that we need to ensure every student in this province has a pathway to a good-paying job. That is the mission we are on. It was why we reformed and modernized Ontario’s curriculum in math, in science, in computer sciences, in technical education, in careers. We have overhauled the curriculum to finally align with labour market needs, to give these young people a competitive advantage when they graduate.

Mr. Speaker, we’ve also expanded the Dual Credit Program, which allows students in high school to take a college course or a course that helps them complete their apprenticeship training. It’s a two-for-one deal. And under our government, we’ve seen an over-137% increase in students enjoying and benefiting from the dual credit expansion.

We’ve also expanded the Specialist High Skills Major program—a 40% increase for students in it—and the reason for this is because we want young people to graduate with the life and job skills that are necessary to get them the jobs of the future.

This government has a plan, working across the ministry, to ensure young people have the connection points to employment, because we know a job means a life of dignity, it means owning a home, it means having purpose in this province.

We want everyone to aspire to be bold in this economy. It’s why yesterday I joined the Premier of Ontario to announce that we are finally going to allow students, after grade 10, to enter directly into the skilled trades, allowing them an immediate accelerated pathway to apprenticeship training. This is going to help solve the skills labour gap that exists in this country. I’m excited and I’m proud that we’re working with our partners in labour, in the private sector and in school boards. All of us yesterday stood together with a mission to help these young people succeed.