SWAF – School within a Factory
The SWAF Program
The SWAF program assists adults (18yrs+) who are employed full-time in manufacturing or production wishing to earn their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Graduates can upgrade courses or acquire prerequisite courses for university/college/apprenticeship programs.
This unique program:
- Brings the classroom to the students
- Has classroom hours to accommodate most shift-work schedules
- Offers students independent learning credit courses with in-class support
Students can register for the SWAF program at any time from September to June.
Student Success Stories
Read the stories of individuals who enrolled in SWAF and earned their high school diploma.
Community Partners
In 2015, the UGDSB partnered with Linamar Corporation to bring this program to their employees. The first SWAF classroom opened in the north end of Guelph for Linamar employees, as well as, other employees working in neighbouring manufacturing or production facilities.
The UGDSB then partnered with Musashi Auto Parts Inc., Dana Incorporated and TG Minto Corporation in 2016 to establish SWAF classrooms in Arthur, Mount Forest and Palmerston to offer the program to their employees. These classrooms were also made available to employees working in other manufacturing or production facilities in northern Wellington County.
SWAF is Expanding
SWAF is pleased to announce that in 2018/2019 the program will begin to expand into additional communities. This expansion will better meet the needs of adults and employers in manufacturing and production within the Upper Grand District School Board. SWAF will begin expanding into: east and south Guelph, Orangeville, Shelburne, Erin, Fergus and Elora.
Potential SWAF students wanting to register or employers wishing to offer this innovative program to their employees in the planned areas of expansion are encouraged to contact Jennifer Watson for more information.
Contact Information
SWAF – Guelph
Jennifer Watson, SWAF Teacher
jennifer.watson@ugdsb.on.ca
(519) 400-1639
SWAF – Arthur, Mount Forest, Palmerston
Tony Matthews, SWAF Teacher
anthony.matthews@ugdsb.on.ca
(519) 261-0609
Follow SWAF on Instagram @SWAFuppergrand or on Twitter @SWAFuppergrand.