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OYAP

OYAP Ontario Youth Apprenticeship program logo. Image of student driving a backhoe.
The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is a School to Work opportunity that allows students in grades 11 and 12 to explore and work in apprentice occupations through the Cooperative Education (Co-op) program. Students have an opportunity to become registered apprentices and work towards becoming certified journeypersons in a skilled trade while completing their secondary school diplomas.

Become an Apprentice While in High School With OYAP

OYAP provides students with an opportunity to start their apprenticeship while they are still in high school. For a student to be eligible for co-op, they must be participating in a cooperative education program. 
 
OYAP provides employers with many benefits including: 
  • Having an opportunity to trial a potential future apprentice
  • Having the option to continue an apprenticeship or terminate the apprenticeship throughout the co-op experience
  • Providing current employees with a supervisory role in order to increase leadership opportunities for staff
  • Having the co-op teacher support the student and the sponsor with the process of completing the registered training agreement
  • Being able to train the student to support skill development that is directly related to the needs of their business
  • The student being able to start to work towards completing competencies in their Apprenticeship Training Standard Book
  • The potential for students to participate in their Level 1 training during their grade 12 year if they are a registered apprentice. This can help to support the growth of a business
  • The co-op student being provided with various training including certifications such as Working at Heights, First Aid & Level C CPR and W.H.M.I.S.
  • Increased public awareness about the skilled trades and apprenticeship pathway
 
 
In January 2022, the Ontario government launched Skilled Trades Ontario, a new crown agency, to improve trades training and to simplify services. According to the government, the new agency will: 
  • promote and market the trades
  • develop the latest training and curriculum standards
  • provide a streamlined user-friendly experience for tradespeople
 
Skills Ontario will be providing an online platform. OYAP apprentices will not be required to use the portal until they have graduated high school and have transitioned to a regular apprentice. This platform will allow apprentices to:
  • schedule classes and exams
  • submit forms
  • pay fees and more
 
The details of the portal will be communicated by the government in the upcoming months. Skilled Trades Ontario (skilledtradesontario.ca) is a place for apprentices to access information on the apprenticeship process including on-the-job training and the in-school training portions of the apprenticeship process. Skilled Trades Ontario will also house the Apprenticeship Training Standards and the Curriculum Training Standards documents. These standards will be updated from the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT) documents that are currently available. 
 
As of January 1st, 2022, OYAP apprentices will not have to register with the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT). OCOT has been transitioned into Skilled Trades Ontario and will assume responsibility for compliance and enforcement. OYAP students will continue to work with their sponsor and co-op teacher in order to navigate the apprenticeship process.
OYAP eligibility diagram. Figure of a person with 3 speech bubbles. 1. "14 credits and working to completion of OSSD". 2: "15 years of age". 3: "Full-time or part-time student".
There are specific eligibility requirements for students to participate in this program. Students can be enrolled part-time or full-time but must have at least 14 credits and be 15 years of age.

Nuts and Bolts of the OYAP Process

Graphic titled "The Apprenticeship Pathway." Illustration of curvy road with arrows leading into the distance. Green start flag in foreground, black and white checkered "Completion" flag at the end. Markers along the way alternate between "On the job" and "In school".
An apprenticeship is a form of post secondary education similar to college or university. It involves a combination of on-the-job training and classroom learning which leads to a trade credential or ‘ticket’. Apprentices not only learn skills in a classroom, but they also receive paid on-the-job training with an employer.
  • Beginning an apprenticeship in secondary school launches the exploration of a rewarding career in the skiGraphic with image of smiling young woman in hard hat. Text at bottom: Apprenticeship leads to career opportunities. Speech bubbles surround her: "I can become a trade instructor. "I can become a supervisor or manager." I can represent my trade in a business or labour group." "I can become a master journeyperson." "I can become a business owner."lled trades
  • The student is supported by their co-op teacher to find an employer that is a good fit for both parties
  • Becoming an apprentice in secondary school means that one of the hardest parts of obtaining an apprenticeship is already complete - finding an employer!
  • Students can use the time and competencies learned while participating in OYAP to put towards their apprenticeship once they graduate from secondary school
  • Once the student graduates high school, they will be in line for the first level of the classroom training required by their chosen trade
Students who are enrolled in a co-op which is a trade where you can apprentice are automatically "Participants" in OYAP. For example, if a student is participating in co-op at a restaurant in the kitchen preparing food, they are enrolled as a “Cook”. For students who are “Participants” in a trade, the following must be completed:
  1. Students and parents complete the Participant Application Form from The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD), provided to them by the co-op Teacher.
  2. Co-op teachers will provide the student with an OYAP wallet card. This card should be with the student while at co-op. In some of the Construction trades, the MLITSD visits worksites and looks for student identification in the form of the wallet card.
  3. Teachers will enroll the student into the Employment Ontario Information System as a 
    Participant in co-op.
A journeyperson is an expert in their trade. Earned money while learning and completing the trade competencies. Completed 2-3 levels of classroom training. Passed the final exam and earned a provincial certification.
Employers and students who agree to take the first step towards an apprenticeship - here’s what you can expect:
  1. The co-op Teacher will consult with the employer and the student and parent to initiate the process.
  2. The second part of the form will be completed by both the student, parent and employer.
  3. The MLITSD training consultant for AMDSB will send the employer the required paperwork to complete.
  4. The employer will return the paperwork to the training consultant once completed so that the student can be entered into APPR-EOIS.

Poster with a wide variety of apprenticeship trades listed. Follow link for accessible PDF version.
Compulsory trades require apprenticeship. These trades include electrician, plumber, and hairstylist.
Non-compulsory trades do not require apprenticeship. These include cook, welder, and powerline technician.
 

Start your Level 1 Apprenticeship Training at AMDSB

 

What is Accelerated OYAP?

Accelerated OYAP is an extension of OYAP that allows AMDSB students in grade 12 an opportunity to apply for a level 1 training program through a training delivery agent. Our training delivery agents in AMDSB include: 
The Technical Training Group
Conestoga College 
Fanshawe College
Lambton College
 
This program is funded through the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development as well as the School College Work Initiative. Limited spots are available and students must plan ahead in order to apply to this program. Applications are due in Grade 11 and acceptance into the program is not guaranteed and does not happen until right before the training starts. 
 

Plan Ahead

For success in Level 1 apprenticeship in-school programs, the student should:
  • have a strong interest in a specific trade;
  • have related work or volunteer experience in the specific trade;
  • be successfully participating in the cooperative education program and be enrolled in OYAP.
 

Level 1 Opportunities

Acceptance into the Level 1 training is based on student readiness and program availability. Many of the level 1 opportunities are the same from year to year. Due to instructor availability, some of the programs may change. Programs that have been common in the past few years include: 
  • Automotive Service Technician
  • Brick and Stone Mason
  • General Machinist
  • General Carpenter
  • Electrician - Construction and Maintenance
  • Plumber
  • Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic
  • Truck and Coach Technician
  • Welder
  • Metal Fabricator
 
Level 1 training programs will be updated as information becomes available from our participating training delivery agents. 
 

Process

 
Timeline Step
Grade 11 Complete at least a 2 CR co-op in the interested trade
February (Grade 12) Course Selection Choose a 4 CR co-op for your grade 12 year 
May of Grade 11 Complete the Accelerated OYAP Application Form
Grade 12 Semester One Interview for a seat in the Level 1 training program
Grade 12 Semester Two Participate in a 4 CR co-op as well as 6-8 weeks of the Level 1 training.  Co-op employer must be aware that students will be participating full time in the level 1 training for the duration of the program (6-8 weeks depending on the trade). 
 

Two delivery models for Level 1 training

  1. Level 1 training at a training delivery agent (TDA) site
    1. Student requires a registered training agreement (RTA)
    2. Taught by certified instructors through the TDA
    3. Location and timing is determined by TDA
    4. Training may be integrated with regular apprentices or a class of OYAP students
  2. Level 1 training at a secondary school through a TDA
    1. Student does not require a registered training agreement
    2. Taught by certified instructors through the TDA
    3. Location is determined by the school board and requires approval from the TDA to ensure the facility can support the program
    4. Training is comprised of a class of OYAP students

Benefits of Accelerated OYAP

  • Fast track through the apprenticeship program by starting year one of an apprenticeship in secondary school. Student will complete apprenticeship hours and work towards completing competencies during co-op and will complete the level 1 training while in Grade 12
  • Learn important health and safety practices in the trade
  • Acquire technical training in a dedicated classroom
  • Increase confidence in the trade by gaining skills and learning theory
  • Experience a smooth transition after graduation from the support of the training delivery agent
  • Become a more valuable apprentice with gained skills and knowledge learned at the level 1 training
Avon Maitland DSB partnered with Edge Factor in 2020 to provide local video content for our students in grades 9 through 12. These four videos showcase the skills, knowledge and technology required to be successful in each industry. Additional resources to support pathways planning can be found on the Edge Factor platform.
 
Some of these engaging resources include topics such as STEAM, financial literacy, careers of the future and soft skills. Check out edgefactor.com for more information or request access through your Student Services department.

Bruce Power Nuclear Energy


 

Ice Sculpting at Ice Culture


 

Mechanical Engineering at Nuhn Industries


 

Construction Masonry at Saugeen Amphitheatre

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