2025 Summer Break ☀️
ESU is on summer break.  We will be back in the office on Tuesday, September 2.  Our classes begin again on Monday, September 8, 2025.


Free upgrading of your reading, writing, math, computer and other skills essential for work, life and learning.

High school interrupted by COVID?  We can help you upgrade to move on to college or apprenticeship.
(see Note 1 below)
Employment interrupted by COVID?  We can help you upgrade the skills you need to make a change.

  • Upgrading to get ready to write the GED replacement – the CAEC (Canadian Adult Education Credential) to earn a high school equivalency certificate (see our CAEC – the GED replacement! page for links to CAEC)
  • Upgrading to get ready for apprenticeship and college.
  • Upgrading for career advancement.

Why?

Where?

Who?
  • Free!
  • A pathway to college
    (even without a diploma!)
  • Start any time
  • Individualized training
  • Learn at your own speed
  • Respectful adult environment
  • Free bus pass (if eligible)
  • Day classes in Cambridge and KW
  • Night classes in Kitchener
  • resident of Ontario
  • at least 18 years old
  • not registered with a high school
  • English skills strong enough to comfortably work with teacher and use classroom materials (see Note 2 below)
  • if SIN begins with 900, some restrictions apply (see Note 3 below)

 

What people are saying about ESU:

“This makes my brain happy and excited” ~R.P.

“I like how coming here has made me feel. The [training plan] was made just for me. [The teaching staff] made me feel important, and I value their teaching. I highly recommend ESU.”  ~M.C.

Read more Testimonials

Notes about eligibility:

Note 1: To be eligible for ESU, a person must be 18 or over and not a current student at a high school

Note 2: English Speaking and Listening requirement: ESU is not an ESL or LINC program.  The level of speaking and listening skills will be determined at assessment, or may involve a Language Assessment.  For reference, Speaking and Listening should be roughly equivalent to CLB6

Note 3: if Social Insurance Number (SIN) begins with 900, see Ministry memo: Access to Employment Ontario Programs for Individuals with 900 Series Social Insurance Numbers