Guidance programs have improved significantly in recent years. A number of provincial governments have identified careers, particularly trades, as a priority. I know that, in general, some schools put much more focus on information about trades than they did 10 years ago. It's important that students know about these trades and have the opportunity to take courses in school to explore them.
As for programs of study, it is important to note that the number and variety of courses offered, such as welding, depend on the resources or funding that schools have access to.
Since PISA was started and since we have been focusing on science and literacy in general, school curricula have become narrower. However, the type of courses we just described are not as available as they were before.
There is one last thing I would like to mention. In Germany, students are steered toward certain careers at age 12 or 13. The situation is different in Canada. The provincial and territorial governments have asked us not to steer the students too much, especially at a young age. Students who are 12 and 13 years of age and in Grade 6 or 7 are steered toward a certain trade, when they are really too young to know which career they want to pursue.
It is very important that schools be fully informed. I would also like to point out that guidance counsellors do more than give career advice. The mental health needs of young people is something that schools are now quite aware of. They must have teachers who are trained in this area and can help students, as well as advise them on careers.