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Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
OYAP is a Ministry of Education approved program, delivered in conjunction with cooperative education, allowing students to earn secondary school credits while completing a work placement in the skilled trades.

As a school-to-work program, OYAP allows students to test drive a career in skilled trade occupations. OYAP students may be registered as an apprentice while in secondary school and begin the process of becoming certified journey-persons. Hours and skill sets earned in co-op, as a secondary school student in the OYAP program, count towards the certification process.



This program is funded by
the Government of Ontario

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Goals of OYAP

  • Students start training in a skilled trade all while completing the requirements towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
  • Students may transition directly from secondary school to the workforce with an apprenticeship in hand, their post-secondary education already started, and a job in a highly skilled, high demand area guaranteed.
  • Students train directly with employers and learn the skills necessary to succeed in the trade.
  • OYAP addresses the increasing shortage of skilled trades people in the workforce.
  • OYAP encourages and supports students to consider a skilled trade as a career option.

Benefits of OYAP

  • Become an apprentice while working towards the completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
  • Count two co-op credits as compulsory credits.
  • Test drive a career and smooth the transition to post-secondary apprenticeship training.
  • Develop essential employability skills and work habits.
  • Develop an understanding of employer and workplace expectations.
  • Make connections between secondary school and the world of work.
  • Gain work experience, knowledge, essential skills needed to build a solid résumé needed for post-secondary programs and future employment.
  • Network with employers to develop industry contacts, references and future employment.
  • Encourage students to explore well paid employment opportunities in high demand skilled trade career sectors.
  • OYAP placements are available in a wide range of skilled trade sectors and prepare students to pursue an apprenticeship and a career in the trades. Skilled trade sectors include: construction, industrial, motive power and service.

Participant Eligibility

  • OYAP is available to all secondary school students 16 years of age or old, with 16 secondary school credits, who are enrolled as full-time students and who are working towards the completion of all compulsory credits required for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
  • Students apply to co-op during the course selection process for the upcoming academic year.
  • Students must also formally apply to co-op and participate in the co-op interview process thereby preparing them for the real world of work. Students indicate an interest to pursue a career in the skilled trades.