The Student Services Department at Western Technical Commercial School is committed to supporting all students with the development of personal, educational, and career goals. We are a warm and welcoming environment, committed to fostering personal well-being and student success in the classroom, school, and community-at-large. We are dedicated to fostering strong school-family partnerships and we work in tandem with professional support services to empower students in reaching their full-potential. Our philosophy is student-centred and solution-focused.  

STUDENT SERVICES - ROOM 152
FRONT DESK Ms. Arruda-Pomakov Guidance Office Administrator Phone: 416-393-0500 Ext. 20040 Fax: 416-393-0353
A - G Ms. Morrison Guidance Counsellor Ext. 20044	H - N Ms. Madeira Guidance Counsellor Ext. 20045	O - Z Ms. Poulos Assistant Curriculum Leader Ext. 20042

Here you will find information about selecting courses and programs at WTCS.

TDSB Course Catalogue

TDSB Course Descriptions and Prerequisites

What Do You Need To Graduate?

Community Involvement Form

Welcome to Western Technical Commercial School! In Grade 9, it’s important to get to know how much your school has to offer. Your Guidance Counsellor will be a great resource as you learn about all of the different courses, programs, and activities at WTCS. Drop by room 152 to make an appointment today.

This is an important year for you: in April you'll write the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

It’s also time to get started on earning your community hours. You will need to complete 40 hours of community work before you finish high school. Not sure where to start? There’s a volunteer information board outside the guidance office, or click here: Volunteer Toronto - High School Volunteers

Moving into grade 11, you will have many more high school courses to choose from. This is the time to start planning ahead. Keep in mind that your grade 11 courses will impact the post-secondary programs and pathways available to you after you graduate.

My Blueprint

This is a valuable tool for you to plan ahead. Based on your senior course selections, MBP will show you all of the opportunities available to you in College, University, Apprenticeship, and the Work Sector.

If you are in a Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM), it’s important to be aware of also fulfilling your SHSM requirements so that you can earn a Red Seal upon graduation.

Design Studio (Arts and Culture) - ACL, Matthew Fountain

Engineering Robotics (Manufacturing)- ACL, John Wang

Leadership (Non-Profit Sector) - ACL, Anisa Khan

Hospitality & Tourism - ACL, Sean Meikle

In grade 12, it is your responsibility to be proactive about ensuring that you are on-track towards completing all of the OSSD requirements. The section “After High School” was designed just for you. These are the most up-do-date resources when considering the different pathways available to you. Research as much as you can and book an appointment with your guidance counsellor.

There are many options available to you once you complete your time at WTCS. Follow the links below and explore what might await you.

Considering a gap year? Click here:  Lattitude Global Volunteering

Ontario Colleges Application Service (OCAS)

Truly "one-stop-shopping". On this site you can research all of the different Ontario Colleges and, when you're ready, apply online. It costs $95.00 to apply to college through ontariocolleges.ca. Up to 5 program choices (no more than 3 at any one college) are included in this fee.

Highly Competitive Programs

The entrance requirements for highly competitive programs offered at Colleges throughout Ontario can be found here.

School Finder

Information about Canadian universities and colleges. You can filter searches to show only Ontario information.

ONTransfer

Ontario College-University Transfer Guide highlightsCollaborative Programs between University and College partnerships.

Transitional Resource Guide for Students with Disabilities

A resource guide for students who need access to disability/accessibility support services in college or university.

Post Secondary Is Possible - Programs that target and provide post-secondary education access, outreach, educational support or career and employment readiness for learners from historically marginalized populations.

Here are a few websites that will help you gather information about the different university programs available in Ontario:

eInfo

eINFO is a guide to Ontario universities for Ontario high school students and guidance counsellors. It provides information about university programs, admission requirements and more.

Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC)

OUAC receives and processes all applications to Ontario Universities. If you are applying to an Ontario University, your application will cost $150.  Your application fee allows for 3 program choices. Additional program choices cost $50/each.

University Student Transition Resources

This list of resources is meant to the skill sets needed for academic success in university. The following academic support programs are available to all students attending Ontario universities.

Transitional Resource Guide for Students with Disabilities

A resource guide for students who need access to disability/accessibility support services in college or university.

Common University Data Ontario

Ontario’s universities have worked together to develop and compile data to create CUDO, and to let students, parents and the public have ready access to information about each university.

College Board

Each year, the College Board helps students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success.

Peterson's

Detailed information on over 4000 colleges and universities, online schools, and graduate programs. Also provides financial aid information and test preparation resources.

The Common Application

With instant access to more than 700 colleges and universities around the world, the Common App is the most seamless way to manage the application process.

 

Please email Tina.Morrison@tdsb.on.ca to be added to her scholarship email distribution list. You will receive important information about upcoming scholarships, eligibility criteria, and deadlines.

eInfo

Electronic Info is a central search engine to Ontario's universities  for high school students.

Scholarships Canada

A scholarship matching website a great resource for scholarship and bursary information

Yconic

yconic offers thousands of scholarships, prizing, and contests.

 

Do you want an interest-free loan while you're studying full-time at college? Visit the OSAP site for all of the details.

How to Apply for OSAP - Video

A short video that takes you through the OSAP process.

OSAP Calculator

Get a quick estimate of what your OSAP loan might be.

Students in Special Circumstances

If you’re a student with specific needs, you may be eligible for additional funds - from OSAP or other sources - to help pay for your postsecondary education.

Find Your Financial Aid Office

If you have questions about qualifying or applying for OSAP, your financial aid office can help. They also know about other sources for financial aid that you could apply for.

 

The Facts

Becoming a Tradesperson in Ontario

Here’s what need to know about becoming a Skilled Worker in Ontario.

Apprenticeship: What Parents Need to Know

An apprenticeship is a form of post-secondary education. The big difference is that the majority of an apprenticeship is spent on the job, learning practical skills and earning money

Apprenticeship GrantsThe Government of Canada provides up to a maximum of $4,000 per person to help you progress in or complete your apprenticeship training.

Government of Canada - Current and Future Labour Market Statistics

The latest statistics on our national labour market trends, and future.

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program

TDSB Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)

Register as an apprentice through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP). OYAP allows students to complete their high school diploma while gaining apprenticeship training within a skilled trade.

Construction, Industrial, Motive Power, Service

Earn While You Learn

A full list of skilled careers in 156 trades are available, along with descriptions, videos, and next steps.

Careers in Trades

Interested in a career in trades? Training generally takes between 2 and 5 years.  Normally, an apprentice learns in the workplace for 40 to 44 weeks a year and goes to school for a six-to-eight week “block” of training. Learn more, here.

Applying to Apprenticeships (non-OYAP pathway)

Apprentice Search - If you know what trade you want. Find an employer/sponsor to register you as an apprentice. This website connects apprentices and employers across Ontario.

Start an Apprenticeship- Find out how you qualify and apply to be an apprentice in a skilled trade.

Here are a collection of websites that will help transition from WTCS to the Work of Work:

Entrepreneurship Resources for Ontario Youth

Thinking about starting your own business? There are government support programs to help you get started.

Service Canada Job Bank

Search over 83, 000 job postings in Canada. There are job alerts, job match, resume builder, and labour market statistics, trends, future prospects, and wages.

Wow Jobs

Search from thousands of job boards, employment and career sites in Canada.

Youth Employment Services Youth Employment Services (YES) is Canada's leader and has helped hundreds of thousands of youth find employment.

Government of Canada - Current and Future Labour Market Statistics

The latest statistics on our national labour market trends, and future.