About OYAP

Registration Process for Students



Key Points
Students who are interested in exploring skilled trades or registering as apprentices are asked to speak with their guidance counsellor or co-op education teacher for general information. 

Students must first gain acceptance into the co-operative education program in order to access the OYAP option.  Students who are placed in work experience placements in the skilled trades are automatically placed in the OYAP option.

OYAP involves two levels:

Level one: 
Exploration.  Students explore the trades during a work experience placement.

Level two: 
Registration as an apprentice with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Level two is not a given.  Students who proceed to step two must be recognized as having the qualities to officially begin an apprenticeship program while in high school. 

Students are assessed by their co-operative education teacher in consultation with the employer (supervisor) throughout the semester to determine their suitability to officially register as an apprentice. 

Students who demonstrate an ability and interest in pursuing a skilled trade are excellent candidates for official registration as apprentices.  The OYAP coordinator will make arrangements with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) - Apprenticeship Branch and with the employer to officially register the student. 

A consultation between the co-op teacher and the OYAP coordinator is required to identify suitable students for official registration as apprentices.

Students may be considered for enrolment in the OYAP option if they meet the requirements of the Cooperative Education and Other Forms of Experiential Learning Policies and Procedures for Ontario Secondary Schools, 2000 Document.

Eligibility

Students must:
  • Be 16 years of age
  • Have completed grade ten (16 credits)
  • Demonstrate an interest and aptitude in a skilled trade
  • Have some related course background in their trade of interest
A student’s suitability for the OYAP option is assessed on an individual basis with input from guidance counsellors, co-op teachers and subject teachers.

Interview

The co-op teacher conducts an interview with the student to determine his/her suitability for OYAP.  The co-op teacher is asked to invite the OYAP coordinator to meet with the student to provide OYAP and apprenticeship information. 

School

The initial approval of an OYAP student is for admission to the co-operative education program.  This approval is determined by the guidance counsellor in consultation with the co-operative education teacher.  Once this procedure has taken place the student is enrolled in the OYAP option.

Employer

Employers participating in OYAP must meet the same approval process as per the requirements of the co-operative education program.  
                           
Each OYAP student must successfully complete an interview with an employer as per the requirements of the co-operative education program to secure a work experience placement in a skilled trade. 

Follow-up

As per the requirements of the Co-operative Education and Other Forms of Experiential Learning Policies and Procedures for Ontario Secondary Schools, 2000 Document, follow ups, monitors and evaluations are conducted by the co-op teacher.  The OYAP coordinator will liaise with the co-op teacher and the employer in an effort to identify apprenticeship opportunities. 

The OYAP coordinator is responsible for initiating the apprenticeship sign-up process.  In addition, the OYAP coordinator is available to meet with the co-op teacher and OYAP student and/or employer to provide apprenticeship related information.

Secondary School Schedules

The OYAP Program is delivered at various high schools throughout the Rainbow District School Board.  OYAP work experience placements are offered in line with the co-operative education program timetable.  

OYAP is offered on a half or full day basis in semester one and semester two.  Schedules may differ from school to school.


APPRENTICESHIP REGISTRATION PROCESS WITH THE MINISTRY OF TRAINING, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES – APPRENTICESHIP BRANCH

Employers who wish to officially register OYAP students as apprentices are requested to meet with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) local Apprenticeship Office.  This meeting is organized by the OYAP coordinator and involves the student, employer and Ministry Training consultant.  Co-op teachers and parents who wish to attend this session are asked to advise the OYAP coordinator and arrangements will be made for their participation.
                        
A Ministry Training Agreement/Contract of Apprenticeship, Sponsor Agreement and Application for Apprenticeship must be signed by the employer, student/apprentice and Ministry Training consultant.  Students under age 18 must secure parental consent on the Application for Apprenticeship Training Agreement/Contract of Apprenticeship.  During the sign-up meeting the MTCU Training consultant will thoroughly review the details of the apprenticeship program.

Once a student is officially registered with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) as an apprentice, a Ministry Training consultant will monitor the student.  Ministry conducted monitors are in addition to the monitors conducted by the co-op teacher.  Ministry monitors take place on average once or twice a year to ensure regulations are being met and training is taking place in accordance with Ministry standards.    

Once the student is registered as an apprentice, he or she will receive a wallet card from the Ministry.  In addition, the OYAP apprentice will receive an official training standard or schedule of training from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU).

The apprentice and employer are expected to follow the Ministry issued training standard or schedule of training.  In addition, the student’s personalized placement learning plan (PPLP) must reflect the components of the MTCU training standard or schedule of training.

Skills learned by the apprentice are recorded and signed off by the employer (supervisor).  This is a Ministry (MTCU) requirement.
     
OYAP students who register with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) as apprentices are exempt from paying the registration fee. In addition, OYAP students may be provided with additional support from the OYAP budget to further enhance their training.  Additional support may include, work boots, coveralls, transportation assistance, related courses offered at the college.  Co-op teachers are invited to contact the OYAP coordinator for additional details.


Eligibility Criteria


OYAP student eligibility:

Students who are at least 16 years of age, in grade 11 or 12 and interested in learning a skilled trade may qualify for OYAP. 

Students should also have some course related background in the area of their trade interest (for example:  technological studies, family studies or computer related courses).

Students under 18 years of age must have parental consent to participate in OYAP.

Students who participate in OYAP may:
  • Enrich school courses through related work experience placements   
  • Have the potential to begin a career in a skilled trade while in high school
  • Register officially as an apprentice with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) if approved for an apprenticeship
  • Have the opportunity to earn apprenticeship hours at no cost while working toward an OSSD
  • Establish important contacts with employers while in high school
  • Increase employment opportunities for part-time and summer employment while in high school and for full-time employment after graduation
  • Increase earning power at an early age
  • Reduce apprenticeship time after high school graduation
  • Work toward acquiring a Certificate of Apprenticeship and a Certificate of Qualification well ahead of the national average

Co-operative education students who are placed in work experience placements related to a skilled trade are identified as OYAP students.

Enrolment under the OYAP option will ensure additional resources and support systems are made available to students who may potentially register with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) officially as apprentices.  In an effort to ensure students receive comprehensive support, the OYAP coordinator requires the names of these students  at the beginning of each semester.