The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program is a specialized program in high school that allows students to explore apprenticeship and consider careers in the skilled trades, generally starting in Grade 11 or Grade 12 through Cooperative Education. An OYAP student earns two or four Co-op credits for work experience in a skilled trade. Students will be placed with an employer related to a skilled trade and gain hands on work experience. Students can participate in OYAP in three ways:
- OYAP Participant - exploring apprenticeships through a co-op placement in the skilled trades (Grade 11 and 12)
- OYAP Registrant - committing to the trades with interest and plans to continue post-secondary (Grade 11 and 12)
- Accelerated OYAP - reaching ahead by completing the level 1 apprenticeship while in secondary school (Grade 12)
To participate in OYAP, students must be at least 15 years old and have accumulated a minimum of 14 credits towards their OSSD. This program provides opportunities in both regulated and non-regulated trades in the following sectors:
- Motive Power (Brake Technician, Auto Body Repairer, Automotive Service Technician)
- Service (Baker, Child and Youth Worker, Child Development Practitioner, Hairstylist, Cook)
- Construction (Brick and Stone Mason, Electrician, Drywall Finisher, Painter and Decorator, Plumber)
- Industrial (Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, Draftsperson, Welder, Machinist, Millwright)
Note: Many of the trades require full day Co-op students and students with access to transportation.
Application forms, teacher references, and an interview are required for all of the above Co-op experiences. The type of Co-op placement will be discussed during the Co-op interview.
Learn more about the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program.