Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
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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 Co-operative Education program.
Students in a co-operative 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 Ontario Secondary School Diploma (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; and
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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 two and five 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; and
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both components and a written exam must be completed to become a licensed journey person, or master, in the trade.