Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
OYAP is a youth apprenticeship program aimed at providing senior high school students with opportunities to train as apprentices in skilled occupations. OYAP provides students with the opportunity to complete studies towards a high school diploma while beginning an apprenticeship program.
OYAP accelerates a young person’s career by several years. The average age of an apprentice in Ontario is between 26 and 28. The average age of an OYAP apprentice is 18.
Registered apprentices benefit from in-school training offered at a community college in addition to the benefits of on-the-job training in the work place.
OYAP provides a link for students to the Ontario College of Trades, particularly when students achieve registration to an apprenticeship. Refer to the OCOT website for information regarding membership requirements: http://www.collegeoftrades.ca
The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is an Employment Ontario program and is funded by the Government of Ontario.
How Does OYAP Work?
OYAP combines secondary school education with apprenticeship training.
Students:
• Register with a cooperative education program to access the OYAP option;
• Are required to successfully complete an interview with a qualified employer;
• Are placed in half-day (two credit) or full day (four credit) work experience placements;
• Receive and follow a Ministry approved training standard or schedule of training linked to a personalized placement learning plan;
• Must complete the course requirements of the cooperative education program (pre-employment orientation, integration days and assignments);
• Receive Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage;
• Receive trade specific safety training/WHMIS;
• Are regularly monitored by a cooperative education teacher while at the work experience placement
• Are required to successfully complete an interview with a qualified employer;
• Are placed in half-day (two credit) or full day (four credit) work experience placements;
• Receive and follow a Ministry approved training standard or schedule of training linked to a personalized placement learning plan;
• Must complete the course requirements of the cooperative education program (pre-employment orientation, integration days and assignments);
• Receive Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage;
• Receive trade specific safety training/WHMIS;
• Are regularly monitored by a cooperative education teacher while at the work experience placement
Who Qualifies for OYAP?
Students who demonstrate:
• a career focus;
• a commitment to learning a skilled trade;
• maturity, dependability and punctuality;
• a willingness to meet employer expectations.
• a career focus;
• a commitment to learning a skilled trade;
• maturity, dependability and punctuality;
• a willingness to meet employer expectations.
In addition, students:
• must be at least 16 years of age and in either Grade 11 or Grade 12;
• must have secondary school courses related to the trade of their choice.
• must be at least 16 years of age and in either Grade 11 or Grade 12;
• must have secondary school courses related to the trade of their choice.
How Does a Student Apply for OYAP?
Students who are interested in OYAP are asked to:
- speak with their guidance counsellor;
- register with a cooperative education program to access the OYAP option.
- speak with their guidance counsellor;
- register with a cooperative education program to access the OYAP option.
For more information please contact your guidance counsellor or coop teacher.
Or contact: Kristen Berger OYAP/ Coop / Pathways Lead Teacher
Telephone: (705) 945-7111 ext 10228
Or contact: Kristen Berger OYAP/ Coop / Pathways Lead Teacher
Telephone: (705) 945-7111 ext 10228
OYAP meets Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development and Ministry of Education guidelines and is funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development.
How do students benefit from OYAP?
Through OYAP students can:
• begin a career in a skilled trade while in high school;
• develop trade related competencies and accumulate hours toward a skilled trade;
• make important connections in the world of work;
• increase opportunities for employment and post-secondary education;
• enter the work place directly after high school completion in careers with a future;
• reduce post-secondary education costs by earning while learning;
• earn coop credits for work experience placements in either half or full day placements;
• enrich school courses through trade related experience.
• begin a career in a skilled trade while in high school;
• develop trade related competencies and accumulate hours toward a skilled trade;
• make important connections in the world of work;
• increase opportunities for employment and post-secondary education;
• enter the work place directly after high school completion in careers with a future;
• reduce post-secondary education costs by earning while learning;
• earn coop credits for work experience placements in either half or full day placements;
• enrich school courses through trade related experience.
How does the employer benefit?
• employers can build a readily available pool of young, motivated people to fill current and future vacancies;
• directs good, young people to the skilled trades at an early age;
• it is a cost effective way to identify and train young people who have an aptitude, interest and commitment to training in a skilled occupation;
• creates more public awareness about your skilled trade;
• each OYAP student is provided with a strong support system to enhance success;
• there is a cost reduction in wages while the student is learning. The employer benefits from the gradually increasing performance and productivity of the student;
• the exchange of information and expertise. When schools and employers team up, students can better understand the link between program and workplace learning. When students make a successful transition from school to work our society and our economy benefit.
• directs good, young people to the skilled trades at an early age;
• it is a cost effective way to identify and train young people who have an aptitude, interest and commitment to training in a skilled occupation;
• creates more public awareness about your skilled trade;
• each OYAP student is provided with a strong support system to enhance success;
• there is a cost reduction in wages while the student is learning. The employer benefits from the gradually increasing performance and productivity of the student;
• the exchange of information and expertise. When schools and employers team up, students can better understand the link between program and workplace learning. When students make a successful transition from school to work our society and our economy benefit.
Employers' Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Ontario Youth Apprentice Program?
OYAP is a specialized program that enables students who are 16 years of age or older to meet secondary school diploma requirements while participating in an occupation that requires an apprenticeship.
OYAP is a specialized program that enables students who are 16 years of age or older to meet secondary school diploma requirements while participating in an occupation that requires an apprenticeship.
2. Am I obligated to accept the student after the interview process?
The final choice is ultimately the employer’s decision. The student must fit the employer’s criteria as a potential employee.
The final choice is ultimately the employer’s decision. The student must fit the employer’s criteria as a potential employee.
3. Should students be performing actual jobs functions in my business?
Yes! The student should be trained to learn all operations appropriate to meet the skills requirement of the trade. Emphasis is always on safety.
Yes! The student should be trained to learn all operations appropriate to meet the skills requirement of the trade. Emphasis is always on safety.
4. Do I have to pay the student?
Remuneration is not required while the students is at their work placement within the hours specified on the placement agreement (contract).
Remuneration is not required while the students is at their work placement within the hours specified on the placement agreement (contract).
5. Who’s insurance will cover the student while he or she is at our workplace?
The Ministry of Education pays WSIB premiums during the student’s co-op placement as the student is NOT being paid a wage. The employer must pay WSIB premiums if the student is being paid a wage outside the hours specified on the placement agreement. If the employer chooses to pay the student while the student is working within the hours specified on the placement agreement, the Ministry of Education will pay the premiums.
The Ministry of Education pays WSIB premiums during the student’s co-op placement as the student is NOT being paid a wage. The employer must pay WSIB premiums if the student is being paid a wage outside the hours specified on the placement agreement. If the employer chooses to pay the student while the student is working within the hours specified on the placement agreement, the Ministry of Education will pay the premiums.
6. How are conflicts handled?
The co-op teacher who is actively involved in each OYAP placement provides support. All attempts will be made to resolve any difficulties that may develop between employers and students. If the situation cannot be improved, the placement can be terminated.
7. Why consider an apprenticeship?
a) Apprenticeship training is a recognized and cost-effective way of preparing young people for a career in the skilled trades.
b) The skilled trades provide young people with jobs in stable and well-paying careers with opportunities for advancement.
c) Ministry pays 80% of college tuition.
d) Many skilled trades pay more than $20/hour.
e) Skills acquired by apprentices and qualified journey persons are in demand.
f) Industry is experiencing a shortage of apprentices and qualified journey people in a number of skilled trades.
The co-op teacher who is actively involved in each OYAP placement provides support. All attempts will be made to resolve any difficulties that may develop between employers and students. If the situation cannot be improved, the placement can be terminated.
7. Why consider an apprenticeship?
a) Apprenticeship training is a recognized and cost-effective way of preparing young people for a career in the skilled trades.
b) The skilled trades provide young people with jobs in stable and well-paying careers with opportunities for advancement.
c) Ministry pays 80% of college tuition.
d) Many skilled trades pay more than $20/hour.
e) Skills acquired by apprentices and qualified journey persons are in demand.
f) Industry is experiencing a shortage of apprentices and qualified journey people in a number of skilled trades.