The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) offers students a chance to attend school and train as registered apprentices at the same time. Students are able to complete their credits required for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and gain apprenticeship training leading to a Certificate of Qualification in a skilled trade at the same time. The program is available to students who are at least 16 years of age and who have completed 16 credits.

Role of Employers

Employers play a vital role in the training of youth apprentices. The employer’s participation helps the student to develop an awareness and appreciation of the skilled trades; gain access to the trades; begin apprenticeship training as part of their high school diploma, and; make a successful transition to the workplace. 

The employer is expected to:

	Provide a working environment which focuses on learning and apprenticeship training;
	Provide a safe working environment which complies with health and safety regulations;
	Direct and guide student learning through on-site supervision by a qualified journeyperson;
	Assess the progress of the student jointly with the Cooperative Education teacher.

Student Selection

OYAP works in consultation with the high school Guidance Department, Cooperative Education teacher and subject teacher in the identification of suitable candidates for any placement.  Once students are identified, they are referred to employers for interviews. 

Students who successfully pass an interview are placed, through Cooperative Education with the employer on a trial basis.

	Develop an awareness and appreciation of the skilled trades;
	Gain access to a career in the skilled trades;
	Begin apprenticeship training as part of a high school diploma;
	Make a successful transition from high school to the workplace in a skilled trade.

Students are selected for apprenticeship opportunities in the following manner:

• OYAP works in consultation with the high school Guidance Department, Cooperative Education teacher and subject teacher in the identification of suitable candidates;
• Once students are identified, they are referred to employers for interviews;
• Students who successfully pass an interview are placed with the employer on a trial basis.

Insurance

Workers’ Safety Insurance coverage (WSIB) is paid for by the Ministry of Education during the cooperative education placement period, as long as the student is not being paid a wage.

Transportation

The student is responsible for transportation to and from the workplace (assistance may be available) at his/her own risk.

Other Employment Costs

The employer may require the student to provide his/her own safety equipment, tools or other equipment. These costs are the responsibility of the student.

Registered Training Agreements

Employers have the opportunity to help a student kick start their apprenticeship by sponsoring them as an OYAP apprentice.  The Registered Training Agreement will allow the students to get registered with the College of Trades and also begin to accumulate apprenticeship hours.  Ratios do not come into play for OYAP students.  The employer is not obligated to keep the student beyond their co-op experience unless they choose to do so.

Termination

The student, Cooperative Education teacher or employer may cancel the workplace agreement, but there must be reasonable grounds for such a cancellation, and all attempts must be made to come to a solution prior to cancellation.