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. There are over 150+ skilled trades to choose from!
Students have an opportunity to become registered apprentices and work towards becoming certified in a skilled trade while completing their secondary school diplomas. The goals of OYAP are to:
- Provide students with the opportunity to start training in a skilled trade while completing the requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma;
- Enable students to make the school to work transition by direct entry into apprenticeship training;
- Provide employers with the opportunity to train the skilled workers they require;
- Provide a viable solution to address the problem of skilled tradespeople shortages in general, and specifically the lack of young people joining the trade
Applying for the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program could be the first step in beginning a rewarding career in the skilled trades:
- OYAP is a smart choice if you wish to jump-start your career. Jobs in the skilled trades can pay well and challenge your intellect and creativity.
- OYAP is often the first step towards a career path in the trades that can lead to supervisory, administrative or management positions, or even to a self-employed business career.
- Students who participate in OYAP will be trained in a specific set of skills leading to a registered apprenticeship program and will be able to obtain apprenticeship hours/competencies and high school credits at the same time.
Accelerated OYAP
Students may be eligible to receive their Level 1 apprenticeship training through a certified college during their last semester in high school. The college credits are dual credits and apply toward the OSSD.
Interested in a career in one of the following skilled trades:
- Automotive Service
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Child Care
- Heating & Air Conditioning
- Carpentry