The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) offers full-time secondary school students the opportunity to train as apprentices while enrolled in school through Cooperative Education placements. In the first year of the program (grade 11), the student is exploring skilled trades. The student is usually a registered apprentice in the second year (grade 12).
OYAP allows students to complete their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and to gain apprenticeship training, leading to a Certificate of Qualification with journeyperson status in a skilled trade. An apprenticeship is a hands-on program for people who want to work in a skilled trade and who enjoy learning by doing. There are over 150 designated trades in Ontario to choose from that include automotive, construction, manufacturing, and service industries.
OYAP students must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 15 years old
- Have completed 14 credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) prior to starting the program
- Plan to complete the OSSD
- Be enrolled as a full-time or part-time student in a secondary school during the program
Other suggested criteria to be an OYAP student:
- Be responsible and mature
- Be competent in math and science
- Have strong communication skills
- Able to commit to a 3-4 year training program
- Apprentices are workers so they earn while they learn.
- Apprentices likely to graduate without debt.
- More people in the skilled trades are retiring than are entering the system.
- High job security and many people in skilled trades now make six-figure incomes with excellent benefits.
- Career in skilled trades give apprentices the opportunity to use the latest cutting edge technology and tools.
- There are over 140 skilled trades to explore that give huge opportunities to grow and advance in the career path.
- Many skilled workers use their skills and experience as stepping stones towards other careers in management or go into business for themselves.
OYAP Graduate Speaker’s Bureau provides an opportunity for past program participants who have become apprentices or journeypersons to choose to serve as mentors and ambassadors of the program at various events and forums. List of speakers.
OYAP Tool Belt Awards are presented to OCDSB students in the OYAP program who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their Co-operative Education placements. Students must be planning to continue in the trade by either apprenticeship with an employer (traditional apprenticeship pathway) or by entering a diploma program at a community college. Students also receive a bursary with the award. A school-based committee determines one recipient per school. The student must:
- have completed all the requirements for obtaining an OSS Diploma, or an OSS Certificate
- have attained outstanding achievement in the view of their employers and Co-operative Education teachers in their co-op placement
- have demonstrated dedication to pursuing the apprenticeship pathway.
Congratulations to all recipients!
Some of the 2021-22 year’s recipient are:
Michael Leaafloor Leitch - Nepean High School
Jacob Love - Elizabeth Wyn Wood Alternative Program
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Contact Us: OYAP
For more information contact your school’s Guidance Counsellor or David Hubbard, OYAP Coordinator.