You can start an apprenticeship while still in high school!
The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) allows students to get an early start on an apprenticeship in a skilled trade. Students have the opportunity to work towards their OSSD, while working with an employer in a skilled trade area through a specialized co-op program. Students can participate in OYAP in two different ways:
1. OYAP/Co-op - students get the opportunity to complete their co-op in any of the skilled trade areas. This is an excellent opportunity to 'test' out a trade to see if it's right for you!
2. Registered OYAP/Co-op - students will continue their co-op placement in a skilled trade area AND may also be registered as an apprentice with the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities (Apprenticeship Branch). The hours completed at co-op will count towards the completion of your apprenticeship program.
For more information, contact your Co-op or Guidance department.
In order to participate in OYAP, students must:
- be 16 years of age when co-op placement begins
- have successfully completed 16 OSSD credits
- have a demonstrated interest and aptitude for the skilled trade
To be eligible for OYAP-FAST, students must:
Meet OYAP eligibility requirements (as described in detail above)
Have a signed parent/guardian “consent to participate” form
Earn 8 to 11 cooperative education credits with their placement component in the skilled trades.
Register as an apprentice through a Registered Training Agreement (RTA) by the time they complete their eighth cooperative education credit.
If you are interested in the OYAP-FAST apprenticeship pathway, please choose:
“OYFAST - Focused Apprenticeship Expression of Interest” during your course selection, in addition to your 2 or 4-credit co-op choice. A follow-up appointment with your guidance counselor will take place to review requirements and complete and submit a parent/guardian consent form.
Students who meet the above completion requirements and all other OSSD requirements will be awarded the OYAP-FAST seal on their OSSD, and OYAP-FAST will be listed in the Specialized Program field of the Ontario Student Transcript (OST). If a student has already been granted an OSSD, it cannot be exchanged for an OSSD with the OYAP-FAST seal. Students graduating in 2025-2026 school year will be eligible for OYAP-FAST.