B. Davison School: Vocational Education Is Imperative
Updated: Aug 31
Former Director of Education Mark Fisher targeted B. Davison Secondary School in London for repurposing, stripping away many of the foundations on which it was built. His justification — a supposed lack of enrollment — was baseless, and he moved ahead without meaningful consultation with the public or the Trustees.
The good news is that B. Davison is now part of Ontario’s $23‑billion School Facility Renewal Project, a province‑wide plan to build and renew schools. Davison is finally set to receive the long‑overdue renovations and infrastructure upgrades it deserves
The Role of a Vocational School
Much to the chagrin of universities across Canada, not everyone is called to attend university. When I worked on staff at Western years ago, several professors I spoke with felt that some students would be better suited to a trade or college program.
Many graduates I’ve met — both in the past and today — have told me they struggled to find work in their field with only a bachelor’s degree. There’s a common belief that a university degree automatically leads to a good job right after convocation. Sometimes that’s true, but often it isn’t.
That’s where vocational education comes in. Skilled trades offer strong, practical pathways to the future. Electricians, carpenters, plumbers, drywallers, HVAC technicians and many others are essential to our economy. I currently work as a contractor, in an industry where I constantly hear concerns about the lack of apprenticeships and the serious shortages in the trades we rely on.
What Needs To Happen
The TVDSB needs to promote and incentivize vocational education, not treat it as a relic of the past. Premier Doug Ford has called for more trained technical workers in hospitality, automotive, sheet metal, and construction. That’s exactly what this school is about. At B. Davison, roughly 90% of graduating students had jobs lined up when they finished school.
As your Trustee, I will advocate for:
• A strong ad campaign to make vocational education more appealing to students and parents.
• Promoting enrollment starting at the Grade 8 level, so students know their options early.
• Incentivizing apprenticeships by building stronger connections with employers in the skilled trades.
• Greater transparency between the Board and parents in every decision related to vocational education.
Comments