Coop and OYAP provide pathways to success

In the 2014/15 school year, Lucas Irving was a Grade 12 student at W.C. Eaket Se​condary School in Blind River.
Lucas completed his co-op placement at JI Enterprises - a local Blind River company specializing in excavating, road construction, water and sewer services, aggregates, sitework and heavy civil construction for both municipalities and homeowners and businesses. While on his co-op placement, Lucas completed his Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) for both Heavy Equipment and Truck and Coach.

After graduation Lucas was hired on full-time with JI Enterprises to continue his apprenticeship and then in October of 2015 was offered a full-time Apprenticeship for Truck and Coach at Manitoulin Transport in Sudbury, Ontario. Lucas was also the recipient of the subject award in Co-operative Education at Graduation in June 2015.

Lucas has had a love and passion for mechanics all his life. During high school and on summer vacations he worked in the shop at AJ Bus Lines and Bruno's Auto Repairs as well.

Korah Collegiate & Vocational School student Tiana Wolfe enjoyed a very successful Cooperative Education placement with S&T Contractors. She worked in the Carpentry Division and gained many new skills that will assist her planning as she completes her last year before graduating. Tiana's Carpenter Supervisor provided very positive feedback, describing Tiana as an outstanding Co-op student and a young person demonstrating a "ready-to-hire" level of trade skills. Tiana will be exploring her post-secondary options related to skilled trades as she completes her successful Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) experience.