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What Is OYAP? (Ontario
Youth Apprenticeship Program)
OYAP is a School to Work Transition program approved by the Ministry of
Education and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
Through OYAP, students have the
opportunity to earn secondary school credits while participating in
co-operative education placement in apprenticeable trades.
Objectives of OYAP
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increase the number of youth
participating in apprenticeships
address skills shortages
provide an early start to apprenticeship
promote skilled trades as a viable
alternative to traditional post secondary programs
increase trades awareness
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Who Can Participate in OYAP?
OYAP is for grade 11 and 12 students who:
have completed at least 16 credits
are at least 16 years of age (there are no
maximums)
are enrolled in school full-time
are interested in exploring career options in
the skilled trades
This school year, more then 12,000 students from
more then 650 secondary schools at 71 District School Boards will
participate in OYAP in the province of Ontario. More then 8,500 employers
will be participating, by providing OYAP placements.
How Does OYAP Work?
Students interested in pursuing skilled trades
training apply and undergo a rigorous screening process at their
secondary school for participation in the program.
Participating companies interview selected
candidates prior to the start of the work placement.
Once accepted, the employer will designate a
qualified employee to supervise the student’s training.
Work schedules vary but generally occur over a
two year period starting with a half day co-operative education work
placement in grade 11.
Learning opportunities at eh placement are
linked by the teacher/monitor to the student’s in-school courses,
educational plan, training standards, personal goals and abilities,
through the development of the Personalized Placement Learning Plan by
the teacher, student and placement supervisor.
Students participate in structured activities
at the school with their peers which integrate the classroom with
on-site activities that are vital to the students’ understanding of
their experiences.
The teacher meets regularly on-site to assess
the students’ progress with the placement supervisor.
Summer employment opportunities may ensue.
The student will complete the academic
requirements in grade 12 and return to industry for further training a
half day all year or full day on semester (students can earn 4
Cooperative Education credits)
Wages for hours worked are at the discretion of
the employer or employers may pay an honorarium to help offset student
expenses.
As long as the students are not paid, WSIB is
covered through the Ministry of Education.
Where wages are paid, WSIB is covered by the
employer.
Students interested in pursuing skilled trades
training apply and undergo a rigorous screening process at their
secondary school for participation in the program.
Participating companies interview selected
candidates prior to the start of the work placement.
Once accepted, the employer will designate a
qualified employee to supervise the student’s training.
Work schedules vary but generally occur over a
two year period starting with a half day co-operative education work
placement in grade 11.
Learning opportunities at eh placement are
linked by the teacher/monitor to the student’s in-school courses,
educational plan, training standards, personal goals and abilities,
through the development of the Personalized Placement Learning Plan by
the teacher, student and placement supervisor.
Students participate in structured activities
at the school with their peers which integrate the classroom with
on-site activities that are vital to the students’ understanding of
their experiences.
The teacher meets regularly on-site to assess
the students’ progress with the placement supervisor.
Summer employment opportunities may ensue.
The student will complete the academic
requirements in grade 12 and return to industry for further training a
half day all year or full day on semester (students can earn 4
Cooperative Education credits)
Wages for hours worked are at the discretion of
the employer or employers may pay an honorarium to help offset student
expenses.
As long as the students are not paid, WSIB is
covered through the Ministry of Education.
Where wages are paid, WSIB is covered by the
employer.
An offer of apprenticeship can occur anytime in
the program and the $40 registration fee is waived for OYAP students.
Students earn up to six Ontario Secondary School
credits towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma upon successful
completion of the program.
Goals of the Program.
to impress upon students the importance of
entering the workforce with a learned skill or trade
to provide the student with the opportunity to
earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma in addition to earning hours
and competencies towards an apprenticeship
to help the student become an independent,
skilled employee, and a valuable addition to the workplace
to develop in students and understanding of
employer expectations involving such concepts as time management,
productivity, teamwork, loyalty, maturity and communication skills
to provide a viable solution to the problem of
shortages in the skilled trades and specifically the lack of young
people joining the trades
to provide employers with the opportunity to
invest in youth
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