Education

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program

The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) provides students with hands-on training and practical learning in over 140 skilled trades. Through the Cooperative Education program, students in Grades 10, 11, and 12 can explore apprenticeship occupations, gain real-world experiences and earn wages while working toward certification as journey persons. This allows them to develop valuable skills, become registered apprentices, and progress in their chosen trades - all while completing their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

Goals of OYAP

To provide students with the opportunity to start training in skilled trade while completing the requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
To enable students to make the school to work transition by direct entry into apprenticeship training.
To provide employers with the opportunity to train the skilled workers they require.
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.

Becoming an Apprentice in Sectors Such As

Construction work
Chef
Horticulture
Information technology
Education assistant
Hairstylist
Transportation
and more...

How Long is An Apprenticeship?

Becoming certified in a trade requires on-the-job and in-school training done at college, and lasting 2-5 years.

Is Apprenticeship right for me? Consider pursuing an apprenticeship if:

you enjoy hands-on learning and have good mechanical and spatial abilities.
you enjoy fixing things, assembling and disassembling structures.
you are able to solve problems, determine why something does not work and how it can be done better.
you are prepared to complete an apprenticeship.

Student Eligibility

To be eligible for participation in OYAP, students must:

have successfully completed 14 credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) prior to starting the program;
be at least 15 years of age; and.
be enrolled as a full-time or part-time student in a secondary school with a District School Board;
be working towards the completion of all OSSD requirements

The goals of OYAP are:

to provide students with the opportunity to start training in a skilled trade while completing the requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma;
to enable students to make the school to work transition by direct entry into apprenticeship training;
to provide employers with the opportunity to train the skilled workers they require;
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.

Opportunities presented through OYAP

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 Labour, Immigration & Skills Development (MLISD) 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 Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program Guidelines for District School Board 2025-2026) during their grade 12 school year and begin their post-secondary apprenticeship training program (Level 1 post secondary-apprenticeship training / curriculum session facilitated by MLISD)
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)

Preparing for OYAP:

Students interested in the apprenticeship pathway participate in OYAP by taking Cooperative Education where the work placement is in a recognized skilled trade.

Students intending to participate in OYAP should start planning early by:

researching the types of skilled trades requiring apprenticeships that interest them. (Try this online survey for a start!);
researching the opportunities for apprenticeships in their area;
selecting Co-operative Education in grade 11 and/or 12;
speaking to a Guidance Counselor to assist them in their research and course planning; and,
speaking to a Co-operative Education teacher to assist them in securing a work placement that fits their plans.

Apprenticeship in Ontario

There are 140+ skilled trades in Ontario that can be learned through apprenticeship. Divided into four sectors, the list of apprenticeship-based careers includes:

OYAP Apprenticeship in Ontario Infographic

Independence, Flexibility, and Transferable Skills

A job in the skilled trades offers a secure earning potential, business ownership prospects, and further training and education opportunities. Interested students will have the opportunity to learn, work, and be challenged by occupations that will provide valuable and diversified skills set. Having a skilled trade provides the power of flexibility, transferability, and is a passport to work anywhere in the world.

(NEW) OYAP-FAST Program for Grade 11 & 12 Students

Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, Grade 11 and 12 students can participate in the new Focused Apprenticeship Skills Training (OYAP-FAST) program. This new accelerated stream within the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) provides students with the opportunity to gain expanded apprenticeship experience by earning additional cooperative education credits while completing their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

Are you a hands-on learner who wants to get a head start on a rewarding career in the skilled trades?
Would you like to work toward becoming an apprentice while earning your high school diploma?
Sign up for OYAP-FAST when you complete your course selections see your Guidance Counsellor.

Click here to learn more about OYAP-FAST