The province is helping to expand the dual credit program.

The program allows high school students to earn college credits while still in high school.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce says an investment of $4.8 million will allow an extra 2,200 students to take part.

“We believe it is absolutely critical we do this because we need more people, more young people, to fulfill the promising careers within the skilled trades,” says Lecce.

For the 2023-24 school year, the dual credit program expansion will include an extra 400 students taking part in apprenticeship in-class training with another 400 enrolling in technological education college courses.

Some of the money will be used to entice more students toward a career as an Early Childhood Educator.

“This expansion supports our government’s broader mission to fill the skills gap by better connecting and ultimately inspiring Ontario students to enter these good-paying jobs,” says Lecce

Ontario’s dual credit programs support eligible secondary students to take college courses or apprenticeship training that count towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma and a postsecondary certificate, diploma, degree or Certificate of Apprenticeship.

The province says students now are taking part in over 25,500 dual credit courses, of which over 10,900 are related to the skilled trades.