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NCDSB Logo  Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School  •  460 Linwell Road, St. Catharines, ON L2M 2P9   •  905-937-6446

Student Services

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)

get a head start on career as a skilled trade professional

The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is a unique program that enables high school students to get a head start on their career as a skilled trade professional while still in high school. The program is offered through Cooperative Education. It allows a student to complete his or her Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and to gain apprenticeship training leading to a Certificate of Qualification with journeyperson status in a skilled trade.

Pathways To Apprenticeship

Students may pursue apprenticeship via three different routes:

Route #l (recommended)
  • In-school APC course(s)
  • Co-operative Education Course(s)
  • Apprenticeship registration through Co-op /OYAP

Assistance in arranging a suitable apprenticeable work placement will be provided by Co-op facilitator and/or OYAP facilitator at the Catholic Education Centre.

Route #2
  • Co-operative Education work placement in a specific trade
  • Apprenticeship registration through Co-op /OYAP

Assistance in arranging a suitable apprenticeable work placement will be provided by Co-op facilitator and/or OYAP facilitator at the Catholic Education Centre.

Route #3
  • Complete secondary school diploma
  • Student finds an apprenticeship placement within his/her chosen trade and works in the trade for the duration of the apprenticeship

NOTE: OYAP students who have recently completed successful co-op placements, but who are not returning to school for the second semester, are invited to register on www.apprenticesearch.com This service, funded by Employment Ontario, is free. Students can upload their resumés, check the job board postings, and apply through the website to positions of interest. Staff members at apprenticesearch have commented that students with OYAP experience make excellent candidates and have had success in finding positions through the site.