Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program
OYAP is a specialized co-operative education program in high school that allows students to explore apprenticeship and consider careers in the skilled trades. Generally starting in Grade 11 or Grade 12 OYAP is a “pre-apprenticeship” program that allows students to earn credits towards a high school diploma gaining knowledge and experience under the supervision of a skilled professional at their apprenticeship workplace. Also, for many specific careers, the Toronto Catholic District School Board offers a variety of “Accelerated” centrally co-coordinated OYAP programs. Accelerated OYAP programs formalize training and allows students a head start along the Apprenticeship Pathway post-graduation.
The Ministry of Education of Ontario has provided funding for all guidance counsellors in the TCDSB to develop an appreciation and enhanced understanding of the skilled trades and apprenticeship pathways that may lead to a career path for Loretto Abbey students. In response to this directive, the Loretto Abbey guidance teacher-counsellors have been provided with a professional learning opportunity with community partners—the College of Carpenters and Allied Trades - Local 27 and Humber College.
This training is meant to expand our knowledge of OYAP and how it can be brought as an option to our community.
What we have learned:
There are more than 300 trades recognized across Canada.
Ontario has designated 144 recognized trades with apprenticeship programs.
Apprenticeship training provides access to well-paying jobs that demand a high level of skill, judgement and creativity. Some programs require Grade 12 University Math, Physics, Computer Science or Chemistry.
Approximately 10% of students in the mechanical, electrical, automotive, manufacturing, building and service trades are women.
Ontario is promoting this pathway for girls in high school to better promote women in the trades.
Benefits of an OYAP program:
Co-op courses can introduce the 144 Apprenticeable trades.
Students affiliated with OYAP in high school get a Client ID with which they can begin an Apprenticeship program post-secondary.
OYAP skills and experiential learning can be connected to Specialist High Skills Major Programs (SHSM) and Dual Credits where students earn a College credit AND a high school credit toward their OSSD.
After high school, students in OYAP may go to a College program or directly to an Apprenticeship program by finding an eligible sponsor in their preferred trade.
Starting salaries after completion of the full Apprenticeship program are comparable to many University-trained professions.
Although our students manage a rich and fulfilling co-operative education program in a non-semestered system, our current scheduling platform is not always supported of OYAP and may present a scheduling issue.