Ontario Government to Modernize Computer Studies and Tech-Ed Curriculum For Future Careers
/The Ontario Government is updating high school courses in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to prepare students for jobs of the future announced at Magellan Aerospace in Mississauga on Monday.
(From left to right) Patrice Barnes, Ajax MPP; Hon. Victor Videli, Minister of economic development, job creation and trade; Hon. Stephen Leece, Minister of Education and Arti Javeri, Vice president, firSt partnerships at FIRST Robotics Canada at Magellan Aerospace in Mississauga. Screenshot.
The changes to the Computer Studies and the Technological Education curriculum also support the government’s plan to align curriculum changes with the province’s economic needs and place an emphasis on critical life and job skills, needed in the fast-growing skilled trades according to a press release.
“This change will provide students with hands-on experience with technology, expose them to real-life problem solving and enhance learning that focuses on giving young people the skills to think critically, dream boldly and chart new pathways forward for our economy,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. “Our focus is to ensure our students have the most up-to-date curriculum that strengthens life and job skills leading to rewarding careers in technology and innovation, including in the skilled trades.”
The two new curriculum changes to better prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow are:
A new Computer Studies curriculum, beginning with a new Grade 10 course to be implemented in September 2023.
A new Technological Education curriculum, beginning with revised Grade 9 and Grade 10 courses to be offered in September 2024.
The Digital Technology and Innovations in the Changing World course will replace the current Grade 10 Introduction to Computer Studies course which was last updated in 2008. Since then, there has been an emergence of significant technological innovations such as the advancement of smartphones and wearable technologies, connected and automated vehicles and the rise of social media.
The revised Technological Education curriculum — which has not been updated since 2009 — will reflect the advancements in automation across sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and construction. The sectors have increased the need for a highly skilled workforce. The Ontario Government assumes these revisions will help prepare students for high paying and rewarding careers in communications, the construction industry as electricians, plumbers and the manufacturing sector.
“Our government continues to foster innovation by growing Ontario’s world-class workforce,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of economic development, job creation and trade. “Every year, more than 65,000 students graduate from STEM related programs. By modernizing STEM and skilled trade-related courses, we’re ensuring our talent pool continues to grow and that Ontario businesses continue to innovate and thrive.”
These changes boost the Skilled Trades Strategy with a $4.8 million investment over two years to expand the Dual Credit program.
The revisions are also part of the next steps in Ontario’s Plan to Catch Up to further expose STEM to children as potential future careers. Other recent curriculum updates include:
Ontario’s revised Science and Technology curriculum for Grades 1 to 8 implemented in September 2022.
Ontario’s new de-streamed Grade 9 Science course implemented in September 2022.
Ontario’s new de-streamed Grade 9 Mathematics course implemented in September 2021.
Ontario’s new Mathematics curriculum for Grades 1 to 8 implemented in September 2020.
