The Ontario government is investing $4 million to expand opportunities for high school students to gain leadership skills and real-world experience through new partnerships aimed at strengthening job readiness and experiential learning.
The funding, announced Monday by the Ministry of Education, will support expanded access to programs delivered in partnership with The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Canada and The King’s Trust Canada during the 2026-27 school year.
“Education must prepare students not just for graduation, but for life beyond school,” said Education Minister Paul Calandra. “When students have opportunities to apply their learning in meaningful ways, they leave school better prepared for whatever path they choose. This investment will help more students access those experiences and build a strong foundation for the future.”
The province said the initiative is designed to help students build confidence, develop transferable skills and gain practical experience outside the classroom in preparation for in-demand careers.
Through the programs, students will have opportunities to participate in skills-development activities aligned with their interests, take part in volunteer service supporting communities and the environment, and engage in outdoor and experiential learning focused on communication, problem-solving, time management and adaptability.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, which operates in more than 130 countries, marks its 70th anniversary this year and has seen participation from more than 500,000 Canadians since 1963. The program supports youth development through structured experiential learning and has been completed by notable Canadians including journalist Beverly Thomson, Canadian Armed Forces veteran Sandra Perron and Olympic gold medallist Madison Mailey.
The King’s Trust Canada, founded by King Charles III in 1976 and established in Canada in 2011, is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Its Skills Academy program focuses on helping young people develop foundational workplace skills such as communication, teamwork and adaptability, and has supported more than 1.5 million youth in 25 countries.
The province said participating school boards will provide additional information to students and parents ahead of implementation in fall 2026.
Officials also noted the initiative complements existing Ontario programs such as Dual Credit, Specialist High Skills Major, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and cooperative education opportunities. On average, 42 per cent of Ontario students graduate with exposure to at least one of these job skills programs or participate in co-operative education.
Ontario is providing $30.6 billion in Core Education Funding for 2026-27 as part of its broader education investment strategy focused on student success.
