School To Career

What is OYAP?

The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is a School to Career program designed to help students make a smooth, successful transition into or to their post secondary education apprenticeship programs. OYAP gives students who are at least 16 years of age and who have completed 16 credits the opportunity to earn a high school diploma (OSSD) while participating in Coop in an apprenticeship occupation.

An OYAP student is defined as any student earning co-op credits in an apprenticeship occupation in which the students PPLP Personalized Program Learning Plan is based in whole or part on the Apprenticeship Training Standards for a particular Apprenticeship occupation. The student may or may not be officially be registered as an apprentice.

For a complete list of Apprenticeship Occupations in Ontario click here.

Which Program should I choose? OYAP, OYAP Co-op or Concentrated OYAP?

Program

Defined as…

Purpose

Comment

OYAP

student

any grade 11 or 12 student doing coop in an apprenticeship occupation for the purpose of …

exploring this as a potential career

The co-op placement is exploratory in nature.

The placement is assigned by the school

co-op teacher

OYAP Coop

student

Any grade 12 student taking Coop in an apprenticeship occupation for the purpose of …

being registered as an apprentice

The student is involved in finding their own

Co-op placement as they are looking for a placement that has the potential to become an apprenticeship / job.

Concentrated OYAP

student

Any grade 11 or 12 student taking a specialized

pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship course in addition to their OYAP

coop placement

for the purpose of …

being prepared for academic success in the apprenticeship courses offered a college and becoming a registered apprentice

Concentrated OYAP teacher assists the student in finding an appropriate OYAP Co-op placement.

Students may also earn a “pre-apprenticeship program certificate” or possibly be exempted from the first level of apprenticeship training usually taught at a local college.

OYAP Coop helps students prepare for apprenticeship by combining Technology courses with a Coop placement to help them gain the knowledge, skills and work experience necessary to begin an apprenticeship.

Concentrated OYAP offers students the unique opportunity to earn Secondary School credits and at the same time students may earn either a Pre-Apprenticeship Program Certificate or in some cases an Exemption Certificate for earning advanced standing in their apprenticeship by completing the first apprenticeship course while still in secondary school.

These Apprenticeship courses are usually taught at a local community college. In Halton, a few secondary schools are approved to deliver Apprenticeship Curriculum.

Concentrated OYAP is not available in every apprenticeship but is recommended when available because it greatly increases a student's chances of obtaining an apprenticeship directly from Secondary School. Similar courses offered at Community Colleges and Technological Training Institutes can cost between $2000 and $6000.

If a student cannot obtain their apprenticeship directly from Secondary School they can take a one-year pre-apprenticeship program at a college, a Private Technological Training Institute or they can return to a Concentrated OYAP Program.

COOP hours spent at the placement may count towards the apprenticeship thus shortening the apprenticeship after secondary school. Students earning advanced standing will have to write an Exemption exam. The local college may charge a fee for supervising and marking this exemption exam.

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OYAP - What's in it for Me?

OYAP is both a demanding and rewarding choice if you wish to jump-start your career. Jobs in skilled trades pay well and challenge your intellect and creativity. Better still, in some cases you could earn a pay cheque while you learn.

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, like you, who wish to pursue there post-secondary education through an apprenticeship, may have the opportunity to be trained in a specific set of skills leading to a potential registered apprenticeship program. OYAP students will have the opportunity to obtain both apprenticeship hours and high school credits at the same time. At the end of the one or two semester Concentrated OYAP program, you will also have the opportunity to:

complete your credits for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD);
earn one of following Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program Certificates: 1. a Pre-apprenticeship Program Certificate, 2. a Pre-apprenticeship Program Certificate with Honours or; 3. an Exemption Certificate from the first level of apprenticeship training at college.
complete a significant 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 College.

At the end of the one or two semester OYAP Co-op placement, you will also have the opportunity to:

complete your credits for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD);
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 College.

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Getting Started: Five Easy Steps to a Great Career

1. Information gathering and awareness stage

Choose a Trade! The more you know about yourself the better! Explore your interests, talents and abilities and choose the trade that is right for you. Identifying the things that interest you by researching the various trades will help you choose the right trade for you! You can also research a trade by visiting the following link: http://www.apprenticesearch.com/fpTrades/trades.asp reading the material about a particular trade and answer the questions at the bottom to see if this trade appeals to you.
Choose a Program

What stage are you at?

I am in grade 10,11 or 12 and wish to explore a particular trade through a co-op placement. See your School Co-op teacher

I am in grade 11 or 12 and wish to be involved in a Co-op placement that has the potential to become an apprenticeship. Remember Concentrated OYAP programs are recommended when available. For a list of apprenticeships in which Concentrated OYAP programs are available go to http://www.schooltocareer.ca/oyap/posters/appchart.pdf. All apprenticeship names followed by the OYAP logo mean Concentrated OYAP programs are available in Halton. To get assistance in applying for a Concentrated OYAP program see the School to Career Guidance Contact in your school to assist you in getting into a Concentrated OYAP program. or contact the Boards OYAP Facilitator or click on OYAP process to the left Concentrated OYAP is not available in the trade I am interested in. Therefore I will require an OYAP Co-op placement. For OYAP Co-op placements see your school Co-op teacher or contact the Boards OYAP Facilitator.

2. Contact stage.

Student parent information evenings, School to Career Fairs and assemblies, OYAP Co-op and School Council information sessions are all available to assist you in making an informed decision about apprenticeship and other school to career programs . In addition our annual Careers Unlimited evening or site visits can be organized by your School to Career Guidance Contact. See "Important Dates". To get assistance in applying for a Concentrated OYAP program, you can see the School to Career Guidance Contact in your school or you can log on to www.onsorts.ca to apply yourself for a program. If you do not see a Concentrated OYAP program in a trade that you are interested in, go to your guidance department or contact the OYAP facilitator at the board office to get some ideas. Co-operative education is always a good option.

3. Assignment stage

Students applying for either OYAP Co-op or Concentrated OYAP programs will be required to complete a series of assignments to be taken to their information interview with then Concentrated OYAP program teacher or their School Co-op teacher. See "OYAP Process".

4. Information Interview stage

Students applying for either OYAP Co-op or Concentrated OYAP programs will be required to book an information interview through their School to Career Guidance contact before they will be officially accepted in an OYAP program. See "OYAP Process" on left side of the page.

Apply for the program you desire by going to www.onsorts.ca. You can pick up to 2 School to Career programs. Students should apply as soon as they can since the programs do fill up. Occasionally, there are spaces available for programs in the following semester. Check with your School to Career guidance counsellor for availability. Students are best to apply for these programs during first semester for programs beginning in the next school year. The School to Career Guidance Contact in each school will want to discuss the program options with you. The School to Career Guidance Contact will help you find the program best suited to your likes and abilities and answer any questions you may have. They will also help you decide on your technology-related courses and other courses that can be taken as preparation for success in an apprenticeship. You can contact the Boards OYAP Facilitator or click on OYAP process to the left

5. Apprenticeship Registration Stage

Once you are in the concentrated OYAP program, you will take a mixture of classroom work and coop. When you are nearing the end of your coop placement, your teacher can talk to your employer to see if they would be willing to sign you for your apprenticeship. If they are, you can go onto www.onsorts.ca again and update your status and click the “Ready to be Signed” button on the task bar and fill out the required information and then click “Submit” This will then be sent to the boards OYAP Facilitator and she will then contact you and the employer to make sure the information is correct. The OYAP Facilitator will then contact the appropriate apprenticeship board and Job Connect, who may be able to help with funding for the employer. A training consultant from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities will then contact the employer and you will be a signed apprentice. Hours spent at your coop placement may count towards your apprenticeship. The training consultant from the ministry will schedule you for the appropriate level of trade school.

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Commitment toward OYAP

The skilled trades are extensive (or considerable) training. In fact, they often require a greater time commitment than it takes to obtain a university undergraduate degree.

Once you are accepted into an OYAP program, you are well on your way towards a challenging career. The program will offer you many advantages.

You are the key player in this partnership and it will take your best efforts, your keen interest and your willingness to succeed.

Everyone has responsibilities. You become a regular employee and will be expected to attend on time, and complete your work safely and efficiently. You'll be expected to focus on learning the required skills from your supervisor.

In return, your employer will provide you with the training you require, update your apprenticeship records, and stay in touch with your school.

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Your Benefits

Earn credits towards an OSSD while training in some cases as a registered apprentice.
Learn while building a successful career.
Apprenticeships are, generally, offered in four sectors: construction, motive power, industrial and service.
The skilled trades offer career opportunities, job satisfaction and excellent economic rewards to young, motivated, bright students.
OYAP programs allow the student to spend half of the school year in school and the other half at work.
Gain authentic and practical skills in a actual work environment
Once indentured or registered as an apprentice, the hours worked are logged toward the number of hours required for journeyperson status in the chosen trade.
Earn credits and log apprenticeship hours.
Continue the apprenticeship after earning the OSSD.
Students may 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.
The combined 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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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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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.