How do I plan my career? What education will I need? How do I apply to an institution?


As a youth with Crown ward status, discuss your career plans with your caseworker/social worker, or foster parent(s). 

Speak to your teachers and guidance counsellors.  They’ve helped thousands of students make the transition from high school to postsecondary education and training.

To find out which careers are in demand, and how to assess your strengths, look at Employment Ontario’s Career Finder.

If you’re not sure which postsecondary institution you want to attend, check out Ontario’s  universities and colleges by visiting their websites.  Most have student services and/or career centres to help students with career planning, finding jobs, resume writing, and interview skills.

For information about apprenticeships, check out Employment Ontario.

How to apply

You can apply to university through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre.

You apply to college through the Ontario College Application Service.

To enrol in a private career college, you sign an enrolment contract.  Contact the institution directly. 

You have to pay a fee to apply to these institutions. As a Crown ward, you may be eligible to receive a refund on your application fee through the Ontario Crown Ward Postsecondary Application Fee Reimbursement Program.

Apprenticeship

To become an apprentice, you must find an employer who is willing to hire and train you. People who want to become apprentices usually apply directly to an employer, union or local committee. Once you have secured employment, contact the local Government of Ontario apprenticeship office to register.

There are options for you to become an apprentice If you are:

  • still in high school
  • didn’t graduate from high school
  • planning to study at college while apprenticing
  • already in the workforce and want to develop your skills for an apprenticeship.

Click here to explore pathways to apprenticeship.

Click here to get help from an Employment Ontario service provider in your area.