Living in Ontario? Have you heard of the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)?
This program provides an opportunity for high school students to work towards their apprenticeship and for employers to train and educate the next generation of skilled workers. This program provides a win-win situation for both students and employers alike.
Why is this a valuable program?
Students:
Students get the opportunity to work alongside skilled tradesmen/women and learn a new skill set that can be used toward their apprenticeship hours.
Students get the opportunity to try out more than one trade if they choose to take co-op options in both grade 11/12.
Learning a new trade counts towards your high school credits.
Great for allowing students to apply their creative thinking towards technical uses.
Gives great examples of real-life application of math/sciences.
Networking for future employment.
Transferable work skills.
Learn about the importance of workplace health and safety.
Employers:
Gaining access to an excellent source of young, enthusiastic and skilled students with strong support systems to ensure success.
Having the ability to take a student/potential employee on a TRIAL basis before commitment to register them as an apprentice.
Helping to build a skilled workforce by increasing student awareness of the company and trade within the community.
Promoting awareness of job opportunities while helping to reduce youth unemployment.
Having the option to continue or to stop the apprenticeship training at the end of the co-op placement. (Can terminate the arrangement at any time if problems arise.)
Potentially being eligible for financial incentives or tax credits.
How can you apply?
Check out all the trades you can choose from here. Do your research to see what fits your interests and talents the most and keep in mind what trade you’d like to pursue.
Now that you’ve chosen a trade it’s time to head to your Guidance Counselor, Co-op Teacher or Technological Studies Teacher to find out about the first steps you need to take. They can help review the trade(s) you have in mind and help find a program that is right for you.
To ensure you are eligible for the co-op program you will need to review your transcripts and make sure you have 16 high school credits. Most people are ready to enter the OYAP program in Grade 11.
You did it! you’ve got the credits, you’ve picked a trade, now it’s time to complete the OYAP application form and enroll into the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development.
Your Guidance Counselor, Co-op Teacher or Technological Studies Teacher will help you through this process and help guide you through your placement.
As you can see, this is a great option for students who are looking to get a little more from school than being in a classroom. It’s a great way to learn a new skill set and keep people engaged in the trades!
For more information on the OYAP Program please visit their website here.
Thanks for reading!
Laura H. Women In Steel Toes