Skilled Trades
Students
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Cooperative Education
What is cooperative education?
- Cooperative Education (co-op) gives students the opportunity for hands-on experience in a career they may choose to pursue in their future.
- Co-op allows students to earn high school credits through integrated course curriculum while learning at a work placement.
- When co-op placements involve work in skilled trades, students are considered Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program participants.
Who can participate?
Students who have completed Grade 10 in any pathway – apprenticeship, college, community, university, or workplace can participate in a 1, 2 or 4 credit co-op placement.
Benefits
Students:
- Gain workplace experience.
- Develop employability skills and work habits.
- Learn hands-on learning in a safe and encouraging environment in a trade or career of choice.
- Pursue a work placement based on student interests and explore a possible career.
- Connect and build relationships with potential future employers.
- Make informed decisions about future work, careers, and education.
- Earn credits toward their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
- Earn co-op credits at a paid job during night school or summer school co-op.
For additional information:
- OYAP website
- View Night School and/or Summer School Co-op in TLDSB website.
- Talk to your school’s Co-op teacher to discuss options.
Dual Credits
What are Dual Credit programs?
- Students can earn up to four optional credits through dual credits courses to help them earn their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
- Senior high school students participate in college courses.
- “Dual” refers to the course recorded on both the high school transcript and college transcript.
- Students sample college work in new learning environments.
Who can participate?
- Students who are currently in Grade 11 or 12.
- Students who fit within the primary target group. For example, students who are disengaged in their learning. To learn more about this primary target group, please see the Ministry of Ontario’s Dual Credit Programs Document.
- Students who are participating n specialized programs including, Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) and/or Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP).
- Students who want to explore careers and experience college.
Benefits
Students:
- Try out a college course with the support of a high school teacher.
- Increase potential for a smooth transition to college or apprenticeship programs.
- Earn certifications and support SHSM requirements.
- Get a head start on post-secondary education.
- Increase awareness of post-secondary pathways and careers.
For additional information
- Ministry of Ontario’s Dual Credit Programs Document
- Contact your school’s Guidance Department for more information.
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program
What is OYAP?
- OYAP is a school-to-work program for students to explore apprenticeship careers after they have completed Grade 10, through the cooperative education program.
- Students can become registered apprentices and begin to work towards becoming certified journeypersons in a skilled trade while completing their secondary school diplomas.
- There are various ways to participate in OYAP. See the examples below:
– OYAP participants → students in co-op placements in the skilled trades.
– OYAP registered apprentices → students with signed registered training agreements (r.t.a.’s), who have officially started their apprenticeships.
– OYAP Level 1 → students selected to participate in the first level of trade school while in their final year of high school.
– OYAP Focused Apprenticeship Skills Training (FAST) → students who earn 8-11 cooperative education credits and sign a registered training agreement with their employer while obtaining 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).
Who can participate?
- Students must be at least 15 years of age (some workplaces have a minimum age requirement of 16).
- Students must have completed 14 credits.
- Students must be working towards the completion of all OSSD requirements.
Benefits
Students:
- Start a career in the skilled trades while still in high school.
- Gain employability skills and a network with businesses.
- Acquire hours and skills toward the apprenticeship.
- Participate in a hands-on learning experience and application of classroom theory to the workplace.
- Increase awareness of workplace demands, skills, and needs.
Employers:
- Increase employer exposure within the community.
- Access new employees at no cost.
- Help build a skilled workforce and promote youth retention in the community.
- Develop leadership and supervisory skills in employees.
For additional information:
- Learn about TLDSB Level 1 OYAP Program Information.
- Employers can visit Ontario’s Hire an apprentice for more information.
- Visit the Skilled Trades Ontario website.
- Contact your school’s Guidance Department for more information.
Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM)
What are SHSM programs?
- SHSM programs allow senior students to become specialists in a particular sector.
- All SHSM programs include specific courses related to the chosen sector, a cooperative education placement, certifications, and industry-specific opportunities.
- Students graduate with a SHSM Seal and formal recognition on their OSSD.
Who can participate?
- Students in Grade 11 or 12 participate in SHSM
- Students in all pathways (apprenticeship, college, university, workplace) can participate.
Benefits
Students:
- Explore career goals and make decisions about the future.
- Customize secondary school education to suit individual interests and talents, and develop specialized knowledge and skills.
- Take high school courses that match interests and strengths.
- Develop specialized knowledge and skills.
- Gain work experience though co-op.
- Participate in industry training that is recognized by post-secondary educational institutions and the chosen sector.
- Capitalize on free learning opportunities!
For additional information
- SHSM page on the Ontario government’s website
- Contact your school’s Guidance Department for more information.
