Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program
(OYAP)
What is OYAP?
The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) provides practical learning and hands-on training in 144 skilled trades.
Specifically, OYAP is a School to Work program that opens the door for students to explore and work in apprenticeship occupations starting in Grade 11 or Grade 12 through the Cooperative Education program. Students completing a co-op in an apprenticable career will register as an OYAP student. This does not mean that they have signed as an apprentice just that they are working in this type of role to determine if it is a career they would like to pursue.
Students have an opportunity to become registered apprentices and work towards becoming certified journeypersons in a skilled trade while completing their secondary school diplomas.
Apprentices are paid while gaining work experience and wages increase with skill levels.
GDHS offers 3 Concentrated OYAP Programs, that include the level one training and may lead to an apprenticeship or a chance to write the level 1 exam.
Why take OYAP?
to start training in a skilled trade while completing the requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
to make the school to work transition by direct entry into apprenticeship training.
to try out a career to determine if it suits your skills and interests to provide employers with the opportunity
to train the skilled workers they require the skills that they need workers
to explore opportunities where there is future employment due to the problem of skilled tradespeople shortages, and specifically the lack of young people joining the trades.
Apprenticeable Trades
Apprenticeable Trades are categorized in 4 sectors, Construction, Industrial, Motive and Service. A list of these trades can be found at: https://www.ontario.ca/page/list-skilled-trades-ontario.
