Is this for my teen?

OYAP (Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program) is a real-world hands-on program with rewards and challenges. Not just anyone can pursue a skilled trade; it takes interest, aptitude, commitment and pride in one's work to expect a good career with a great future.

OYAP is both demanding and a rewarding choice for bright eager teens that wish to jump-start their careers. The program also addresses the growing skills shortages in the trades, which have been articulated by business, industry and labour. It's about the combination of school and training that works best for everyone involved.

OYAP provides a healthy balance between the demands of school with that of the work environment.

To succeed, a firm and continued commitment to both school and workplace is essential. Your teen will be expected to have regular and punctual attendance, respect for authority and a sincere focus on learning the required skills.

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Admission Requirements

The skilled trades & technologies are highly technical and take a firm commitment to master. These careers require extensive training. In fact, they often require a greater time commitment than it takes to obtain a university undergraduate degree.

In order to qualify for OYAP you must:

  • be 16 years of age by the time the co-op placement begins
  • have successfully completed 16 credits
  • demonstrate good attendance in school
  • demonstrate a sincere interest and aptitude for the skilled trade
  • demonstrate a courteous, positive and responsible attitude
  • complete all required forms and documentation
  • attend an interview
  • show a strong work ethic.
  • Most students will have the opportunity to explore potential apprenticeships in grade 11 or grade 12 through an exploratory Co-op placement
  • Serious students can then pursue Concentrated OYAP programs or OYAP co-op programs in grade 12 or may return after graduation to participate in one of these programs.
  • If your teen is interested in applying see http://www.schooltocareer.ca/oyap/oyapprocess
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Why should I encourage my son or daughter to pursue an apprenticeship?

Not all Ontario secondary students go to college or university. Many students go directly to work after high school. Most students graduate, some unfortunately do not. Refer to the diagram below which outlines grade 9 Ontario secondary school students' destination once leaving high school:

The Dr. Allen King Report - Phase 2 reports that in 2000, out of every 100 Ontario secondary school students, their post secondary school pathway or destination typically was as follows:

Additional student pathway facts:
  • 25% of secondary students will attempt to enter the workplace without a graduation diploma
  • Another 25% will attempt to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation…even though the intended postsecondary destination for many may have been college or university
  • 50% will begin university or college immediately upon graduation
  • A significant number of that group will not earn their college certificate/diploma or university degree (i.e. 42% of students entering college from high school and the workplace and 26% of students in university leave before meeting diploma or degree requirements)
Consider this scenario:
  • 100 students entered grade 9
  • 25 do not graduate
  • 25 graduate and go to work
  • 50 go to university or college
  • 43% college bound do not graduate
  • 26% university bound do not graduate
  • Assuming 35 of the 50 went to university and 15 of the 50 went to college
  • TOTAL GRADS - 35

A university or college education can provide wonderful opportunities to our youth, but the fact remains that there are more young people who do not attend university than those who do. We're making sure that those young people are not forgotten, misguided or misinformed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

These are some of the frequently asked questions by students and Parents.

Q: Can I start my apprenticeship while still in high school?
A: YES. OYAP gives students who are at least 16 years old and who have completed 16 credits the opportunity to earn a high school diploma (OSSD) while working toward your apprenticeship. In most cases signings won't happen until grade 12. However if a student has a firm commitment from an employer prior to grade 12 they may also be registered while still in grade 11.
Q: Can a Grade 12 graduate still take OYAP?
A: OYAP is designed to accommodate Grade 12 graduates. If a student has the required technical skills and for whatever reason did not opt for OYAP when he/she was in Grade 11, he/she may still apply for OYAP. · A Grade 12 graduate will be accepted into OYAP provided that he/she meets the following criteria: Has made a commitment to complete the one or two semester program.
Q: How long is the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program?
A: Students may start OYAP in Grade 11 or in Grade 12 Many students might like to take as many of their compulsory courses as possible in their Grade 11 year and then begin a Concentrated OYAP or OYAP Co-op in the second semester of Grade 12 or return for a fifth year (grade 12+)
Q: How can I prepare for OYAP?
A: If you require additional information contact the School to Career Guidance Contact in your school ask them to give you an OYAP package and have them add you to the list of interested students. Your Guidance Counsellor could arrange a visit to the OYAP school that is offering the program you are interested in. You will be given an information package including OYAP Pathways Planner. This information will help you choose the appropriate academic and technical courses.
Q: May I take some courses at the Concentrated OYAP school and other courses at the home school?
A: Depending on the courses needed for your Ontario Secondary School Diploma, you may be able to take some courses during one half of the day or during one semester at your home school and the other courses at the OYAP school. The decision to do this will be made on an individual basis by the OYAP teacher and School to Career Guidance Contact in Student Services.
Q: May I still play sports?
A: If you switch schools for program reasons, you may still be eligible for sports for your original home school or at the receiving school. Please see your School to Career Guidance Contact in Student Services for more information.
Q: Am I responsible for my own transportation to the workplace?
A: YES. You are responsible. But, you will not be denied access to the OYAP program or any other Co-operative Education course because you cannot afford the additional costs. Please see your School to Career Guidance Contact or OYAP teacher for assistance.
Q: How will I know if I will like Concentrated OYAP?
A: You will visit the OYAP school and, if possible, take your parents. The OYAP teacher will explain the program and will provide a tour of the school. The teacher will also provide an idea of the type of Co-operative Education Placement to expect for OYAP. This will help you make your decision.
Q: Why are Regional Concentrated OYAP programs not offered in all schools?
A: No need to duplicate expensive machinery and equipment. Regional Programs allow specific timetabling and staffing which provides students with the advantage of specialized technical courses to support apprenticeship training. Local employers determine the employment needs for skilled trades people and Regional Programs allow School Board to meet those needs and not have too many students seeking certain apprenticeships with no hope of jobs.
Q: What happens if I decide to leave the apprenticeship program or am asked to leave the program?
A: You may find out that you are not suited to an apprenticeship or you also might be in a situation where your attendance, work ethic, attitude etc., might be considered unsatisfactory by your teacher(s) or the employer. Depending on the timing within the school year, you may normally return to a regular program. If this cannot be accommodated, then you will have to pursue alternative ways of earning credits through correspondence or online courses, credit recovery programs, night school, summer school or return to your home school the following semester.
Q: If I quit the in-school technological education course, can I still earn co-operative education credits for work at the workplace?
A: If a student is successful in the in-school technology-related course(s) but unsuccessful in the co-operative education course(s), he/she may be awarded credit for the In-School technology-related Course(s). If a student is successful in the co-operative education portion course(s) but unsuccessful in the in-school technology-related course(s), he/she may be awarded a portion of the co-operative education credit(s) in accordance with Halton Catholic DSB or the Halton DSB policy. This applies only to a student who remains registered and in attendance in the related course until the completion of the course (page 30 - Co-operative Education and Other Forms of Experiential Learning, 2000).
Q: Am I protected with Workers Safety Insurance coverage?
A: YES. You are covered under WSIB by the Ministry of Education during the co-operative education placement. This coverage is documented in the form of a Work Education Agreement (WEA) which is signed by employer, student, parent and teacher prior to starting at your placement. When an OYAP student is registered as an apprentice and PAID the employer is responsible to provide the WSIB protection.
Q: Will I be eligible for any exemption from "Basic Level In-School" training connected with my apprenticeship?
A: In-school training is usually delivered through a Community College, e.g., Mohawk, Sheridan Canadore or Seneca Colleges. The secondary school curriculum in some OYAP programs is specifically designed to meet the in-school training requirements of the community college. OYAP programs allow students who complete this specialized curriculum to be exempt from the Basic Level as long as they achieve 70% on the MTCU exemption test which they may take at the end of the OYAP program. Not just anyone can pursue a skilled trade; it takes interest, specific aptitude, skills and pride in your work if you are expecting a good career with a great future. Students, like you, who participate in this program will be trained in a specific set of skills leading to a registered apprenticeship program and will be able to obtain both apprenticeship hours and high school credits at the same time.
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Talking to my Teen

Keep in mind how much information is available to your child. The possibility of information overload is something you need to take into account.

Consider that the skilled trades are very different than they were when you were younger. Many people believe that the skilled trades are only for those students that don't have the ability to succeed at university. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact the level of technology involved in many of the skilled trades can be very challenging for typical university bound students. These careers require an enormous amount of dedication, intelligence, creativity and adaptability.

  • Remember that the career options young people have today significantly outnumber the ones you probably had.
  • Remember many 1 year college programs are designed to help students get into an apprenticeship
  • These one year programs are similar to our Concentrated OYAP programs.
  • It cost thousands of dollars less to take a Concentrated OYAP program than it would to take the 1 year pre-apprenticeship programs at college.
  • Students may combine university and apprenticeship or college and apprenticeship
  • Remember that your child/student will likely change careers a few times.
  • 15% of all certified trades people in Ontario have University Degrees or College Diplomas
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Benefits

Apprenticeships are often the first step in a career path that can lead to an additional trade, to supervisory, administrative, management or teaching positions, or to a self-employed business career!

Students who participate in this program will be trained in a specific set of skills leading to a registered apprenticeship program and will be able to obtain both apprenticeship hours and high school credits at the same time.

At the end of the one or two semester program you will have been given the opportunity to:

  • complete credits toward an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD);
  • earn an Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program Certificate;
  • complete a portion of the apprenticeship requirements as you continue toward attaining your Certificate of Apprenticeship and Qualification from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU);
  • have direct entry into the apprenticeship program at a Community College
  • learn while building a successful career
  • begin working in a skilled trade that offers career opportunities, job satisfaction and excellent economic rewards to young, motivated, bright students
  • spend half of the school year in school and the other half at work gaining valuable and authentic industry standard training
  • continue the apprenticeship after earning the OSSD
  • return for another semester or year if additional credits are needed
  • enter an apprenticeship at an earlier age - an advantage to both students and employers
  • combine knowledge and talents of the partners involved in OYAP creates the best possible learning/training situations for candidates in the program.
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Red Seal Program

The Red Seal endorsement on the Certificates of Qualification and Apprenticeship confirms that the person has achieved a nationally recognized level of competency in the trade.

The Red Seal also means that the journeyperson is licensed to practice their trade in any province or territory in Canada.

For more information on the Red Seal Program visit http://www.red-seal.ca/ or speak to your School to Career Guidance contact.