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?
- High school students (Grade 11 and 12) can take a college course, taught by a college instructor, and earn both a college credits and a high school credit.Â
- These courses are offered during the school year, usually once a week in the daytime, and are in addition to regular high school classes.
- These courses are usually taught at the college campus.
- Students can earn up to four optional credits towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
Who can participate?
- Students who are currently in Grade 11 or 12.
- Students who fit the primary target group. For example, students who are capable but are not engaged in school, or have many absences, or are missing a credit to graduate, or are unsure of their future pathway.Â
- Students who are participating in specialized programs including, Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) and/or Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP).
- Students who want to explore possible 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
TLDSB is accepting 2026 OYAP Level 1 applications!
This opportunity is available to current Grade 11 students who are interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades. It allows students to complete the first part of their apprenticeship schooling, all while participating in the cooperative (co-op) education program and completing their secondary school diploma.
Learn more by visiting our recent news post.
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.
- Visit the Sponsor an apprentice page on the Skilled Trades Ontario website for more information.
- Visit the Skilled Trades Ontario website.
- Visit the OYAP 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.