The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) lets a Co-op student begin to learn a skilled trade while completing a high school diploma.  A Co-op student may be signed to an apprenticeship agreement with the employer at the time of his/her placement.  Students graduate with a diploma, a whole new skill set, experience in the real working world and a head start on a skilled profession.

What makes OYAP different from regular Co-op?

• OYAP is industry/employer driven, developing skilled workers.
• OYAP must meet both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities policies and guidelines.
• The Personalized Placement Learning Plan (PPLP) must include reference to the specific MTCU apprenticeship training standard.
• Apprenticeship Agreement may be signed upon agreement of the employer.
• Earn Co-op credits for the secondary school diploma and the apprenticeship hours/skills for the MTCU.
• Students can perform all aspects of a compulsory trade under supervision of a licensed journeyperson.
• Some specialized “accelerated” programs feature timetables that include additional apprenticeship in-school (level 1) curriculum.
• Registered as true Ontario apprentices while in Co-op.

For more information, see a Guidance Counsellor or Cooperative Education teacher.  You can also visit any or all of the following websites for lots of good information:

• www.oyap.com 
• www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/training/apprenticeship/skills/oyap.html 
• www.skillscanada.com 
• www.tradeability.ca 
• www.skilledtrades.ca 
• www.apprenticesearch.com 
• www.careermatters.ca 
• www.madewiththetrades.com 
• www.careersintrades.ca 

The above information is from Connecting Students to Opportunities in the Skilled Professions, a publication of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Note: To participate in OYAP, students must be 16 years of age or older, have earned 16 credits, and be experiencing success in school.

NEW OYAP Carpentry Students: Fleming College Advanced Standing

Students who have successfully completed the accelerated OYAP Carpentry program (or the IEWSS Dual Credit Construction program) in which participants complete the curriculum for the Basic Level 1 Carpentry Apprenticeship delivered by Fleming College receive Fleming College grade reports.   When they present their grade report to the Apprenticeship Branch of the MTCU and proceed to complete the apprenticeship registration process, they will be eligible for course exemptions from the Basic Level 1 Carpentry Apprenticeship Program at Fleming College. Upon presentation of appropriate certificates, students may also be exempt in part or whole from Health and Safety certification requirements.

Successful graduates of the OYAP accelerated program will also be eligible for advanced standing/course exemptions in the Construction Skills Program – an Ontario College Certificate program -

CRPT2   Carpentry I

CNST85 Print Reading

MATH79 Trade Calculations and Layout

Upon presentation of appropriate certificates, students may also be exempt in part or whole from:

CNST89 Health and Safety