![More high school grads opting for skilled trades](https://cdn.magzter.com/1704825715/1719557027/articles/LvhOY1S_21719560369601/MORE-HIGH-SCHOOL-GRADS-OPTING-FOR-SKILLED-TRADES.jpg)
Jade Joslin, who graduates high school this week, is part of the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program.
Growing up, Zachary Bhual loved collecting model cars, playing with Hot Wheels and going to auto shows to get close to the classics.
Now, the 17-year-old high school graduate will keep fuelling that lifelong passion, as he transitions from being a student with a penchant for auto shop to a paid apprentice on the road to becoming an automotive service technician.
“I’m excited,” said Bhual about graduating from St. Joan of Arc Catholic Academy in Scarborough, eager to trade his uniform for mechanic coveralls, and swap poring over books for peering under hoods. “I walk with my head up, not down anymore. It’s just a very rewarding feeling ... There’s just this sense of pride I get working on cars.”
He’s among a growing number of Toronto teens going into the skilled trades — this includes construction workers, carpenters, plumbers, cooks and hairstylists — the public and Catholic school boards say.
Interest may grow as the province implements new graduation requirements.
These are meant to better prepare graduating students for future jobs; in September students starting Grade 9 must earn a Grade 9 or 10 credit in technological education. The goal is to expose more kids to tech ed, which covers a range of sectors such as construction, transportation, manufacturing, computer technology, hospitality and communication.
In Ontario, employers already face recruitment challenges in the trades and expect to need more than 500,000 additional workers over the next decade — more than 141,000 in the construction industry alone because of retirements and job growth.
As students provincewide usher out the school year on Friday, many high school graduates are looking forward to the next chapter, including several who spoke with the Star about careers in the trades.
Bu hikaye Toronto Star dergisinin June 28, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Toronto Star dergisinin June 28, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
![Trump's near-death fatal for Biden](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1769965/2hZpPvZ411721297428409/TRUMPS-NEARDEATH-FATAL-FOR-BIDEN.jpg)
Trump's near-death fatal for Biden
The hottest MAGA fashion trend can be purchased at a medical supply shop.
![Tuning up for Shrek' musical](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1769965/UVC9HRn5O1721297333915/TUNING-UP-FOR-SHREK-MUSICAL.jpg)
Tuning up for Shrek' musical
Music director details his job for this revised and more intimate adaptation
'Shogun,' 'The Bear' lead Emmy nominees
\"The Bear\" went on a tear at Wednesday morning's Emmy nominations with a comedy-series record 23, and \"Shogun\" led all nominees with 25 in a dominant year across categories for FX.
![TV stars to headline new Coal Mine Theatre season](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1769965/59Rfxr12-1721297048774/TV-STARS-TO-HEADLINE-NEW-COAL-MINE-THEATRE-SEASON.jpg)
TV stars to headline new Coal Mine Theatre season
Pair who cut their teeth in theatre return for 'Infinite Life,' 'A Case for the Existence of God'
![Can snubs beat Olympians again?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1769965/gw1eUioHZ1721296935711/CAN-SNUBS-BEAT-OLYMPIANS-AGAIN.jpg)
Can snubs beat Olympians again?
WNBA heads to break with big all-star weekend, showdown with U.S. team
Chelsea to discipline Fernandez for racist chant
Club teammate slams video from Argentina's celebration
![House with best views of British Open is up for sale](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1769965/sWPvZLn5m1721296496644/HOUSE-WITH-BEST-VIEWS-OF-BRITISH-OPEN-IS-UP-FOR-SALE.jpg)
House with best views of British Open is up for sale
An estimated 250,000 golf fans will pour into Royal Troon to watch the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods at the British Open.
Chirping Canadians help inspire MacIntyre
TROON, SCOTLAND Originally on the media schedule for Monday, Robert MacIntyre finally did his pre-Open news conference Wednesday afternoon.
![Winners and losers from all-star week in Texas](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1769965/tEI0ALY4F1721295903556/WINNERS-AND-LOSERS-FROM-ALLSTAR-WEEK-IN-TEXAS.jpg)
Winners and losers from all-star week in Texas
The all-star game is an exhibition. Nobody really cares who wins.
![Always one wager from a major scandal](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1769965/m-RIVu0OX1721295806933/ALWAYS-ONE-WAGER-FROM-A-MAJOR-SCANDAL.jpg)
Always one wager from a major scandal
When you consider the way the baseball season began - with news L.A. Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, the most compelling player on the planet, was enmeshed in an ugly betting scandal - it's been a relatively quiet all-star break for Rob Manfred, the commissioner of Major League Baseball.