Earn Credits and Train for a Career in the Trades
Earn Credits and Train for a Career in the Trades
The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) offers students a chance to attend school and train as registered apprentices at the same time. Students are able to complete the credits required for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and gain apprenticeship training leading to a Certificate of Qualification. The program is available to students who are at least 16 years of age and who have completed 16 credits.
Here is What the OYAP Program Offers
Here is What the OYAP Program Offers
- Earn high school cooperative education credits for work experience during half-day or full-day placements.
- Make important connections in the world of work which can lead to employment opportunities.
- Begin a career in a skilled trade while in high school, working towards their diploma.
- Develop trade-related competencies (based on the Training Standard for the trade) and accumulate hours toward a skilled trade* (*Ontario College of Trades recognized exemption from legislation requiring only certified journeypersons or registered apprentices to perform compulsory aspects of a trade and exemption from journeyperson-to-apprentice ratio requirements).
- Receive Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) funding support (towards costs – safety equipment and training, transportation to work placements or Level 1 classes, etc.).
- Potentially be registered as Ontario Youth Apprentices in their trade area (meeting Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development OYAP Administration & Accountability Guidelines) during their grade 12 school year and begin their post-secondary apprenticeship training program (Level 1 post-secondary apprenticeship training/curriculum session facilitated by MTCU).
- Reduce post-secondary education costs by earning while learning (approximately 80 to 90% of in-school training is subsidized by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development).
Did You Know?
Did You Know?
Tradespeople earn 3.1% more than the average Canadian.
Careers in the skilled trades reduce the accumulated debt load from tuition fees.
Demand is rising quickly for tradespeople who have an aptitude for technology.
The construction industry in Ontario is expected to rise by 43,000 workers from 2012 to 2020. An estimated 60,000 workers will be required to fill the anticipated labour shortage.
Employers who sponsor an OYAP participant (high school student exploring the trades) are exempt from journeyperson-to-apprentice ratio requirements and wage rates.
How the OYAP Program Works
How the OYAP Program Works
Grade 10
Apply for Co-op
Students apply for Cooperative Education (co-op) and go through a screening process, including an interview with the co-op teacher. The goal is to explore interests in the skilled trades and begin hands-on learning.
Grade 11
Co-op Placement
Students complete a co-op placement in a skilled trade, working half or full day with a licensed journeyperson.
Grades 11 & 12
Becoming a Registered Apprentice
In Grade 11 or 12, students can sign a Registered Training Agreement with their employer, officially becoming an OYAP Apprentice. Apprentices continue to work and learn.
OYAP – Focused Apprenticeship Skilled Training
OYAP – Focused Apprenticeship Skilled Training
As an extension of the regular programming, beginning in September 2025, some students may opt to participate in OYAP Focused Apprenticeship Skills Training. This pathway is an accelerated stream within OYAP that will allow students in Grades 11 and 12 to participate in more apprenticeship learning through additional cooperative education credits while completing their OSSD.
To be eligible for OYAP-Focused Apprenticeship Skills Training, students must:
- Meet OYAP eligibility requirements.
- Have a signed parent/guardian “consent to participate” form.
- Earn 8 to 11 cooperative education credits with their placement component in the skilled trades.
- Register as an apprentice through a Registered Training Agreement (RTA) by the time they complete their eighth cooperative education credit.
Students who meet the above completion requirements and all other OSSD requirements will be awarded the Focused Apprenticeship Skills Training seal on their OSSD, and Focused Apprenticeship Skills Training will be listed in the Specialized Program field of the Ontario Student Transcript (OST). If a student has already been granted an OSSD, it cannot be exchanged for an OSSD with the Focused Apprenticeship Skills Training seal.
All You Need to Know About OYAP
All You Need to Know About OYAP
Who Can Apply for OYAP?
Eligibility for the OYAP Program:
- Full-time or part-time student in a secondary school who is 16 years of age with 16 high school credits already achieved.
- Demonstrated interest and career focus in a skilled trade.
- A positive attitude and good work ethic.
- Co-op placement in an apprenticeable trade or occupation.
Benefits of Registered Apprenticeship (Grades 10 & 11)
- Free Ontario College of Trades Membership.
- Free Level 1 Apprenticeship Course (subject to availability).
- Skills and hours worked count towards a formal apprenticeship.
- Faster completion of the apprenticeship.
OYAP Student Resources
General Information on Apprenticeships and Skilled Employment
- Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
- A Career You Can Build On
- Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, Apprentice Resources
- Careersintrades.ca
- Employment Ontario Ottawa Network
- Essential Skills for Your Apprenticeship Training | Employment and Social Development Canada
- Red Seal Program
- Ontario College of Trades
- How to become an apprentice | youth.gc.ca
- Skills Ontario
- Women Working in the Skilled Trades and Technologies – Myths & Realities | skillsontario.com
- You Want Your Children to Make Good Career Choices | Careersintrades.ca
- Ontario College of Trades (youth site): Earn while you Learn
Health and Safety Information for Students
- Parenting Young Workers | Ontario Ministry of Labour
- Worksmart Ontario | Ontario Ministry of Labour
- Young Workers: It’s Your Job | Ontario Ministry of Labour
- Young Workers: Stay Safe! | Ontario Ministry of Labour
- Young Workers Zone for Parents | Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety
- Young Workers Zone for Young Workers | Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety
OYAP Employer Resources
General Information on Apprenticeships for Employers
- Employer Resources, Skilled Trades Network – Canadian Apprenticeship Forum
- Apprenticeship: A Smart Investment | Careersintrades.ca
- Financial Incentives – Employers | apprenticesearch.com
- The Apprenticeship Advantage: Recruiting Tomorrow’s Workers Today | Canadian Apprenticeship Forum
Health and Safety Information for Employers
- Supervising Young Workers | Ontario Ministry of Labour
- Workplace Safety Insurance Coverage for Students in Work Education Programs | Ontario Ministry of Education
- Young Workers Zone for Employers | Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety
How to Apply for OYAP
How to Apply for OYAP
Explore the world of skilled trades and shape your future with OYAP or the Elite Skilled Trades Academy. Start earning, learning, and advancing today! To get started, speak to your Guidance Counsellor.
Are You Looking to be an OYAP Employer? Please take the time to fill out our Workplace OYAP Training Offer Template.
