The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is a School to Work program that opens the door for students to explore and gain training in apprenticeship occupations starting in Grade 11 or Grade 12 through the Cooperative Education program.
OYAP allows Co-op students to explore and work in apprenticeship trades starting in Grade 11 or Grade 12. Students have an opportunity to become registered apprentices and work towards becoming certified journeypersons in a skilled trade while completing their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Students graduate with a diploma, skills in a trade, experience in the workplace, and a head start in a skilled profession.
Students are eligible if they:
are 16 years old;
have completed 16 credits towards the OSSD prior to starting the program;
are enrolled as a full-time student during the program;
are working towards the completion of all OSSD requirements;
are enrolled in a Co-op 2 credit or 4 credit program
In the Dual Credit Accelerated OYAP Program, students in their last semester of high school, can earn their high school credits, register as an apprentice, complete all or part of their Level One Apprenticeship schooling in this specific trade, and earn hours/competencies towards their apprenticeship in selected trades:
Automotive Service Technician - Centennial College Ashtonbee Campus
Cook/Baker - Humber College North
Child Development Practitioner Apprenticeship Program - Seneca King
Electrical - Humber College Centre for Trades and Technology
General Carpenter / Drywall Acoustic / Floor Covering - Carpenter’s Local Union 27 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Centre
Plumbing - Humber College Centre for Trades and Technology
Refrigeration & Air Systems Mechanic - George Brown College - Casa Loma Campus
Students interested in this program should indicate this on their co-op application or in their interview so the department can contact them with application information in October. The progrma only runs Semester 2 for Grade 12 graduating students.
Keen OYAP students may qualify to take the Level 1 Apprenticeship training at a college in semester 2 of grade 12 in one of the trades listed above. Students require a full day, 4 credit co-op to accommodate this opportunity. The college portion (2 months) may earn students 1-3 credits toward their OSSD, and additional credits are earned at the Co-op placement.
Students must apply in semester 1 of grade 12 and be interviewed after attending an Open House at the college in October. Previous OYAP Co-op experience in the chosen trade is an asset to acceptance. See the Co-op department to plan for this exciting pathway.
The Skilled Trades
There are over 150 designated trades in Ontario. They are broken down into 4 main categories:
Construction
Industrial
Motive Power
Service
Red Seal Trades indicate a trade where a journeyperson’s Certificate of Qualification is earned and is a nationally recognized certification and are often valued abroad. There are currently 52 'Red Seal' Trades.
Students interested in a Skilled Trades Coop usually enter a pre-apprenticeship College program or are registered as an apprentice (OYAP) during their Co-op placement.
What is Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeship is a post-secondary Education opportunity. Earn while you learn. Ninety per cent of the apprenticeship training is done in the workplace. An apprentice works with a master tradesperson to receive on-the-job training overseen by the Ontario College of Trades. All apprentices will also attend 'in-school' sessions, which are usually offered at community colleges or union training centres. The Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development (MAESD) pays the tuition while the apprentice pays a minimal classroom fee to attend the 'trade school'. Once both the 'in-school' and 'on-the-job' hours have been completed and competences signed off, the apprentice recieves their Certificate of Apprenticeship, Most trades have an additional examination that must be passed to receive the Certificate of Qualification (license).
A typical apprenticeship takes about the same amount of time as other post secondary options.
Special Considerations for OYAP Students
Transportation can be a limiting factor in some trades placements as job sites can vary and students will need to travel further distances. It is not always possible to find an employer/supervisor who can drive students. Students who are interested in a career in a Skilled Trade are encouraged to be proactive in getting their driver's license.
Students who select a 2 credit Coop option will likely be limited in the type of Skilled Trade placement they can access due to location and time constraints.
Co-op students are generally not expected to have their own tools. However, in some cases it may be worth investing in some basic tools. Students who have made a commitment to apprenticeship can make a ‘Loan for Tools’ through the MEASD.
Students who are working on construction sites, or in environments will require the necessary protective. OYAP students are provided with a hard hat and safety glasses (when needed). A stipend for other PPE can be accessed through the school (example: $60 towards the cost of safety steel toe boots) as needed. Some sites will also be able to offer students the required PPE for use on site.
The YRDSB works to provide students who may be working at heights during their Co-op placement with the appropriate training - at no cost to the student. This takes place at the start of each semester
More Information
For more information on the skilled trades and apprenticeship in Ontario you can visit:
The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program http://oyap.com/en/index.cfm
The Ontario College of Trades http://www.collegeoftrades.ca/
The Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development https://www.ontario.ca/page/start-apprenticeship