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submitted 2 months ago by HellsBelle@sh.itjust.works to c/canada@lemmy.ca

Premier Doug Ford had choice words for students expressing concerns over recent cuts to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) Tuesday, telling them to "not pick basket-weaving courses" and to invest in education that gives people in-demand jobs.

Speaking to reporters at Queen's Park, Ford said he received "thousands of calls" from students over the long weekend, who expressed concerns about the province cutting the amount of grant money students can receive through OSAP.

“I mentioned to the students, you have to invest in your future, into in-demand jobs,” he said.

“You’re picking basket-weaving courses, and there’s not too many baskets being sold out there.”

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[-] MyBrainHurts@piefed.ca 0 points 2 months ago

Probably not put super well but the basic idea is fairly reasonable. I graduated with folks who majored in stuff they really enjoyed (critical lit, history, philosophy) and then had a rude awakening when it turned there weren't many businesses with a burning need for someone who could explain the significance of the battle of Hastings.

From the other side, I have a buddy who teaches a film course. According to him, if he assigns a movie as homework, only a quarter of the students will actually watch it. So he started failing kids. Well, the institution did not like that so now he legitimately shows movies in class for a huge chunk of his class time. I love movies and film fests but I feel less than ideal about subsidising a course on them and feel downright annoyed to subsidize kids sitting and watching fucking movies in class time.

Like I say, I don't hate Ford's basic thrust here.

[-] Mpatch@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

Lol agreed. In law spent years in uni getting a phych degree. Mad student debt now. Works at a bakery making bread. Had a budy also did some sort of bs social sciences program. He struggled for years after, until he lucked out, got a job driving go bus.

There's a guy out there I met a while back he did a few traning seminars for a few hundred bucks from bosch on rebuilding diesel injectors. He makes a killing rebuilding injectors, injector pumps.

Guys go to welding school for a year, in 3-4 years they'll probably be making close If not over 100k.

[-] Lemmyoutofhere@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 months ago

Become a licenced mechanic (provincial govt pays for your school) and make over 100k. It’s a tough job though.

[-] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 months ago

Over 100k. Bullshit. Most make $60K, $75K tops.

[-] MyBrainHurts@piefed.ca 1 points 2 months ago

https://redsealrecruiting.com/salaries/welder-salaries-information/

Median is 83K. Throw on a combo and you're golden. I have a friend who moved from welding to underwater welding and is laughing. Loves the job, never sweats about work, has all the OT he wants if he ever wants it etc. Not a brutal job, just requires attention and care.

[-] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 months ago

These Reddit myths about $100K trades really need to stop. Even if true, you physically cannot do that for 30 years.

[-] MyBrainHurts@piefed.ca 1 points 2 months ago

Maybe depends on the trade. I know a good few older plumbers, welders etc who at this point, don't bother leaving home for anything under several thousand dollars (much to a friend's vexation while trying to reno.) You don't want to be a roofer for 30 years though.

[-] Mpatch@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

Are you in the trades?

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this post was submitted on 17 Feb 2026
84 points (97.7% liked)

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