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OCDSB School Within A Trade (S.W.A.T) - For Grade 12 Students Only

School Within a Trade (SWAT) - Enhanced Construction Program

The Enhanced Construction Program, a collaboration between the OCDSB and Local 93 Carpenters Union, provides Grade 12 students with a hands-on pathway to skilled trades through specialized training and co-op placements, catering to those who excel in experiential learning. This initiative allows students to gain practical skills and authentic industry experience, ultimately leading to potential pre-apprenticeship opportunities. 

The program is organized into two distinct cohorts, each with a carefully structured schedule that outlines the curriculum and progression, ensuring students receive tailored education aligned with their individual needs and academic timelines, thereby facilitating a seamless transition into a trade career. The following graphics outlines the comprehensive schedule for each cohort, detailing the curriculum and progression through the program.

This program is reliant on external grant funding through the Skills Development Fund from the Ontario Government, and programming is subject to change based on funding availability

Phase 1: In-Class Training (Daily at Local 93 Carpenters Union, Kanata)

Students will be registered in Launch Secondary School, which is staffed with OCDSB teachers and located at the Local 93 Carpenters Union in Kanata.  Students will be enrolled as SWAT students for the semester they are attending, and will benefit from the following:

• Hands on learning in state of the art facilities tailored to carpentry education

• Access to 4 full-time Local 93 instructors

• Industry recognized certifications and training

• Transportation subsidy in the form of transit pass or mileage reimbursement (up to $350)

• A bundle of trades related credits to support earning OSSD and in support of their individualized pathway goals.  If the student already has earned any of these credits they will be provided an alternative option.

  • TCJ3/4CD (2 Credits)

  • MAP4C (1 Credit); prerequisite MBF3C

  • ENG4C/U (1 Credit); prerequisite NBE3C/U or ENG3C/U

Phase 2: Semester 2 Paid Cooperative Education (Cohort A Only)

This phase of the program (only available for Cohort A) will provide students the opportunity to extend their learning to a Cooperative Education placement attached to their home school. This placement will be found for students and will connect them to a Local 93 Unionized Employer. Students will have the chance to apply the specialized industry learning they’ve been receiving out in workplace, and will benefit from the following supports:

• Personal protective equipment

• Transportation subsidy in the form of presto pass or mileage reimbursement (up to $350)

• Basic hand tools

• Paid employment as part of their co-op experience (~$18/hr)

Phase 3: Local 93 Job Ready Level 1 Program (Select Candidates)

This phase of the program is available to top candidates from SWAT and will provide 30 students an opportunity to Fast Track into a Level 1 College program in the summer of 2026 through Local 93. Students who successfully complete the SWAT program but are not selected for this opportunity will be considered for future Level 1 intakes and will continue working towards their Certificate of Qualification as a Carpenter apprentice. 

Any Grade 12 students planning to graduate at the end of the next school year who are interested in applying to the School Within a Trade Program, please speak to your Guidance Counsellor or Mrs. Banks.

Deadline to apply for Cohort A: Past Due

Deadline to apply for Cohort B: November 2026

Important Upcoming Dates

Those who are interested in being a part of the SWAT program in Cohort A will have the chance to participate in the following events in preparation for this program in September:

1. Parent/Guardian Information Night - April 20, 2026 at Local 93 Training Facility

2. Local 93 In-Person Aptitude Test - June 1, 2026 at Local 93 Training Facility

OCDSB & IBEW Local 586 Electrical Union Program

 For Grade 12 Students Only

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) has partnered with the IBEW Local 586 Electrical Union to offer full-day co-op placements for up to 25 students per semester as Electricians with unionized employers. This program allows students to develop industry skills and knowledge, with the potential for apprenticeship opportunities upon graduation for successful participants.

Program Details

• For the first 4 weeks students will be participating in pre-placement learning delivered by Local 586 training staff

• Pre-placement learning will focus on job readiness and industry certification training that will meaningfully prepare students for the community placement experience

• After successfully completing the pre-placement requirement through Local 586, students will transition to a community placement hosted by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers where they will remain for the remainder of the semester

This program is reliant on external grant funding through the Skills Development Fund from the Ontario Government, and programming is subject to change based on funding availability.

Student Benefits

• $5000 Stipend from Local 586 for successful completion of the program

• Required PPE at no cost to the student

• Certification training at no cost to the student

• Transportation subsidy through OYAP (up to $500) - for 26/27 school year

• Basic hand tools and equipment provided through OYAP (up to $800)

• Sponsored apprenticeship (RTA) and accumulating apprenticeship hours towards an their Electrician pathway

Ideal Candidate

• Interested in pursuing a career as an Electrician

• Enrolled in full day co-op (either Sem 1 or 2)

• Strong academic achievement, particularly in subjects related to Math, Science (physics), and English

• Priority will be given to students in Grade 12 and on track to earn their OSSD at the close of the 2026-2027 school year

• Previous OYAP and/or Tech and Trades experience an asset

• Access to reliable transportation an asset

Any Grade 12 students planning to graduate at the end of the next school year and who are interested in applying to the IBEW Local 586 program, pease speak to your Guidance Counsellor or Mrs. Banks

Canadian Armed Forces Military Reserve COOP

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