SWAF – School Within A Factory
The SWAF Program
The SWAF program assists adults (18 years+) who are employed full-time in manufacturing, production or warehousing 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 courses with in-class support
Students can register for the SWAF program at any time from September to June.
Community Partners
In Guelph, SWAF currently partners with Linamar Corporation, DENSO Manufacturing, Poly-Nova Technologies, Cascades Containerboard Packaging-Bird and Lovett Signs, as well as other smaller employers working in neighbouring facilities. In North Wellington (Arthur, Mount Forest, Palmerston), SWAF currently partners with Musashi Auto Parts Inc., Dana Incorporated, TG Minto Corporation, Viking Cives and Golden Valley Farms Inc. In Dufferin, SWAF currently partners with KTH Shelburne Manufacturing Inc.
Don’t see your employer on the list above? You could still be eligible for SWAF!
Students not currently employed with one of the Community Partners listed above may be eligible for the SWAF program if they work for another local employer in manufacturing, production or warehousing. Please contact your nearest SWAF location for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
To view answers to some of the frequently asked questions regarding the SWAF program, please visit: https://www.ugdsb.ca/continuing-education/credit-courses/swaf/swaf-frequently-asked-questions/
Student Success Stories
Read the stories of individuals who enrolled in SWAF and earned their high school diploma.
SWAF is Expanding
In a continued effort to help create a better educated workforce that benefits all, expansion will continue in 2019-2020 in the established SWAF locations to bring the program to new manufacturing, production or warehousing companies and their employees. Additionally, SWAF’s future expansion plans include the communities of Orangeville, Erin and Fergus.
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 at SWAF@ugdsb.on.ca.
SWAF’s History
In 2015, the SWAF program was created when 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 SWAF program 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. The program was also made available to employees working in other smaller manufacturing or production facilities in these communities in northern Wellington County.
In 2019, seven new community partnerships were established as the SWAF program grew. The first community partnership in Dufferin County was established with KTH Shelburne Manufacturing Inc. and expansion to south Guelph created partnerships with DENSO Manufacturing, Poly-Nova Technologies, Cascades Containerboard Packaging-Bird and Lovett Signs. Additionally, Golden Valley Farms Inc. from Arthur and Viking Cives from Mount Forest joined the SWAF program in northern Wellington County.
Contact Information
SWAF – Guelph
Jennifer Watson, SWAF Teacher
SWAF@ugdsb.on.ca
(519) 400-1639
SWAF – Mount Forest, Arthur, Palmerston
North Wellington Centre for Continuing Education
SWAFNorth@ugdsb.on.ca
(519) 323-4840 *ask specifically for SWAF information
SWAF – Shelburne, Orangeville
Dufferin Centre for Continuing Education
SWAFDufferine@ugdsb.on.ca
(519) 941-2661 *ask specifically for SWAF information
Social Media
- Follow SWAF on Instagram @SWAFuppergrand
- Follow SWAF on Twitter @SWAFuppergrand