Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)

The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is a form of Cooperative Education that allows students to earn hours towards their apprenticeship. It is a specialized program offered to Cooperative Education students that enables them to meet diploma requirements while participating in an occupation that requires an apprenticeship. They are also considered to be full-time students and are therefore entitled to all school holidays unless mutually agreed upon by the OYAP sponsor and student. Students working outside school hours must be paid, and the sponsor will be responsible for WSIB. Since students are registered as apprentices when they participate in OYAP, they may be paid at the rate for apprentices as outlined in the Trades Qualifications Apprenticeship Act and/or the Apprenticeship Certification Act.

OYAP supports our Specialist High Skills Majors in Construction and the dual credits in that area. OYAP is a component of our Student Success efforts.

For further information, please visit www.oyap.com or www.buildtogether.ca

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This program is funded by the Government of Ontario.

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Programs & Initiatives

Skills Canada - Ontario event in Toronto 2024

Our skilled students proudly represented STAHS at the Skills Canada - Ontario event in Toronto, participating in both the Young Women’s and FNMI Conferences. Alex Ogemah, Kianna Edison, and Sam Neil engaged deeply with the world of skilled trades, exploring new opportunities and building industry connections. Our team carpentry students, Connor Bender and Dustin Sewell, also showcased their talent and dedication to craftsmanship, highlighting their commitment to excellence in the trades.

Mother-Daughter Construction Night

In May 2024, we hosted our first-ever Mother-Daughter Construction Night—a special event where participants crafted beautiful dog feeding stands for donation to It's a Dog's Life, supporting our community’s pets. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), this event encouraged young women to explore carpentry and sparked enthusiasm for skilled trades.

Building Community and Supporting Food Security Through Student Craftsmanship

During the 2023/2024 School year, our students took on a meaningful project, building hen houses for the Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resource Council (AKRC). Guided by Mr. Cox and the St. Thomas Aquinas shop class, the students designed and constructed four hen houses to support food security and land-based learning for the First Nations communities of Windigo Island, Dog Paw, Ojibways of Onigaming, and Big Grassy First Nation. Their hard work was deeply appreciated, as expressed in a heartfelt letter from AKRC.

Exploring Career Pathways: Inspiring Students in Skilled Trades

Our Red Seal Ready Skilled Trades Expo, supported by OYAP, introduced students to a range of career possibilities in skilled trades. Featuring professionals from local businesses like CARSTAR Kenora, Ontario Power Generation, Sierra Construction, and more, the event gave students firsthand insight into potential career paths and the skills required in each field. This engaging event highlighted the many opportunities within the trades, sparking excitement and interest among our students.

St. Thomas Aquinas High School