Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is an opportunity for students to begin working on an apprenticeship in a skilled trade while still in high school.
OYAP is a school-to-work program that allows students to explore and work in apprenticeship occupations starting in Grade 11 or Grade 12 through the Cooperative Education program.
Students in a cooperative education placement can begin to work on the skills necessary to complete an apprenticeship. Students typically do not receive a wage while in high school, however, they leave with their OSSD and concrete skills.
The goals of OYAP are:
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To provide students with the opportunity to start training in a skilled trade while completing the requirements to graduate;
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To enable students to make the school-to-work transition by direct entry into apprenticeship training;
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To provide employers with the opportunity to train the skilled workers they require;
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To provide a viable solution to address the problem of skilled tradespeople shortages in general, and specifically the lack of young people joining the trades.
What is an Apprenticeship?
Apprenticeship is hands-on learning specific to a trade occupation. It combines on-the-job training, work experience and technical training that leads to certification in over 150 trades.
Apprenticeships can last between 2 and 5 years depending on the trade. While learning, an apprentice is an employee and is therefore paid a percentage of a journey person's wage. The wage increases as the apprenticeship progresses. That means you will earn while you learn!
Get your future pointed in the right direction with a skilled trade!
Details:
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About 85% of what is learned is done through on-the-job training;
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10-15% is theory learning usually delivered at a community college;
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Both components and a written exam must be completed to become a licensed journey person, or master, in the trade.