To officially launch the Level 1 Commercial Vehicle Apprenticeship Training Program, the Upper Canada District School Board, in partnership with the Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre, the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario, le Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario, and le Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est, hosted a grand opening today at UCDSB’s TR Leger site on Kemptville Campus.

The grand opening and ribbon cutting signified the readiness of the facility to welcome the inaugural OYAP Level 1 Commercial Vehicle Apprenticeship class and was a celebration of the partnerships created and the work that has happened to make this program and training facility become a reality.

The Honourable Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Parliamentary Assistant Deepak Anand on behalf the Honourable Monte McNaughton, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, and Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development were both in attendance and gave remarks, in addition to North Grenville Mayor Nancy Peckford and UCDSB Chair John McAllister.

“The UCDSB remains an avid believer in hands-on, experiential learning opportunities that align with our mission to prepare students for a successful life,” said UCDSB Chair John McAllister. “This program emulates that belief and we’re so excited to now see it in action.”

The Level 1 Commercial Vehicle and Equipment Apprenticeship program provides the basics for in-class and practical learning for three motive power trades: Agricultural Equipment Technician, Heavy Duty Equipment Technician, and Truck and Coach Technician. The course provides students the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge through in-class learning and with practical experiences that are specific to these related careers.

This program has been made available to qualified students enrolled in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) or students who are working toward completing their Ontario Secondary School Diploma and interested in completing a co-op or enroll in OYAP. The program has full registration with 20 students enrolled from the four participating school boards.

“Establishing this program has been a true collaborative effort among all local school boards and Kemptville Campus. We look forward to supporting the learning of this first group of apprentices and to expanding opportunities for apprenticeship training at this site in the future,” said UCDSB Superintendent of Schools Susan Rutters. “Supporting our youth to become skilled tradespeople here in Eastern Ontario for meaningful prospective careers within our local workforce is our privilege.”

With the first day of class beginning on Tuesday, October 12, this high-value training program will build on the existing adult education opportunities established by the UCDSB at the Kemptville Campus, primarily through the T.R. Leger School of Adult, Alternative and Continuing Education, and address a growing local and provincial need for skilled trades workers.

“I am so pleased to recognize the innovation and collaboration that has allowed for this fantastic opportunity in North Grenville,” said Clark. “We know from the industry that early exposure to apprenticeships at the high school level generates greater interest and higher number of apprenticeship registrations and completions.”

To learn more about the Level Commercial Vehicle and Equipment Apprenticeship Program, please visit the T.R. Leger Website.

For media inquiries, please contact:
April Scott-Clarke
Manager of Communications
Upper Canada District School Board
communications@ucdsb.on.ca