Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)

The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is a school-to-work program that opens the door for students to explore and work in apprenticeship trades beginning in Grade 11 or Grade 12 (or possibly in the summer months between grade 10 and 11).  Students may have an opportunity to become registered apprentices (‘signed’ by an employer) and work towards becoming certified journeypersons in a skilled trade while completing the requirements to obtain their diploma (OSSD).  

OYAP allows students to explore apprenticeship and consider careers in the skilled trades as attractive and viable options, on a similar footing with careers from other post-secondary pathways. OYAP participants that complete the workplace-based learning component may be recognized by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) as having completed a portion of the on-the-job training requirements of a formal apprenticeship. 

The goal of the program is to enable students to explore a career in the skilled trades and, if chosen, make the school-to-work transition by direct entry into apprenticeship training. Some students may also be eligible to complete some of their apprenticeship training (Level 1) at a neighbouring community college while still enrolled in secondary school.

person working on car engine

Eligibility

To be eligible for participation in OYAP, students must: 

student holding vegetables• have successfully completed a minimum of 14 credits toward their OSSD; 

• be at least 15 years of age; and, 

• be enrolled full-time or part-time in a secondary school at a DSB. 

 

Secondary school students who obtain their OSSD but return to a secondary school for additional credits (i.e. “5th year”) are also eligible for OYAP.  

Adult students (over the age of 21) are also eligible for OYAP. To be eligible, adult students must: 

• have successfully completed a minimum of 14 credits toward their OSSD; 

• be enrolled full-time or part-time in a secondary school; and 

• be earning credits towards an OSSD, with the goal of obtaining an OSSD.

 

Resource Links

The following are some sources on youth apprenticeship programs. These links take you to external websites that are not maintained by the Renfrew County District School (RCDSB) and are provided for your information. Inquiries should be made to the webmasters of these websites.