Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program

Find Success in the Skilled Trades

A skilled trade is a career path that requires a particular skill set, specialty knowledge and training and is usually hands-on.

Some skilled trades require an apprenticeship. Why would you try an apprenticeship trade?

Watch this video!

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LEARN MORE ABOUT APPRENTICESHIP

Explore Careers in

140+

Skilled Trades

DISCOVER EACH TRADE

Earn money while you learn

It all starts with OYAP

FAQ

Are there any costs for an employer to take on an OYAP apprentice?

Is the student guaranteed employment upon graduation?

Are students paid for their apprenticeship training?

MORE ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS

MYTH BUSTING

There are a lot of myths about apprenticeship and the skilled trades.

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SKILLED TRADES JOBS DO NOT PAY WELL.

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FIND OUT THE TRUTH

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Skilled trades are a dead-end job.

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FIND OUT THE TRUTH

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Working in the trades is dangerous.

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FIND OUT THE TRUTH

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Skilled trade work isn’t important.

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FIND OUT THE TRUTH

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Skilled trades are for men.

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FIND OUT THE TRUTH

How you can help as an employer

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Skilled Trades on Social Media

What’s up in the Skilled Trades?

Oct 30

Open
We’re gearing up for Level Up! on Nov 5th! πŸ”§ We’re proud to be part of this exciting career fair that brings together skilled trades professionals, post-secondary institutions, businesses, and associations from across Ontario. Students in grades 7–12 will get hands-on with interactive exhibits and learn about 140+ Skilled Trades, plus hear directly from tradespeople and employers about rewarding, life-changing career opportunities. πŸ’ͺ Discover your future in the trades! #Local18 #UBCBuilt #SkilledTrades #CareerFair #LevelUp #OntarioJobs #FutureOfWork #FutureApprentice #FutureCareer #Ontario #skilledtrades #OYAP #pathways

Oct 29

Open
A huge thank you to Reliance Home Comfort, Skills Ontario, Thames Valley DSB, and OYAP for making today’s Women in Skilled Trades & Tech Day such an inspiring experience! πŸ™Œ Sixteen of our students had the opportunity to explore a variety of skilled trades through hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world demonstrations. πŸ”§βš‘πŸͺš It’s events like these that empower the next generation of skilled trades professionals! πŸ’ͺπŸ‘·β€β™€οΈ #SkillsOntario #OYAP #thamesvalley#WomenInTrades #SkilledTrades #HandsOnLearning #FutureReady#reliancehomecomfort #lucasvikings

Oct 28

Open
Some people wait for opportunity. Rochelle wired her own ⚑️ ・ Rochelle is a product of oyap_pajo. But more than that, she’s a spark in the system. ・ With real-world training and mentorship, she turned placement into a paycheque, and that paycheque into a purpose. ・ Now she’s wiring up her future as an entrepreneur. ・ Let’s keep creating pathways for young women to build, lead, and light the way. ・ #OYAP #WomenInTrades #SkilledTrades #Entrepreneurship #CareerExploration

Oct 25

Open
πŸ† with oyap πŸ˜‹ I love vegetables except anang danlugon nga Otan 😁 #gulayishealthy #eggplant #oyap #yummy

Oct 24

Open
πŸ”§ OCTE/CTMA Teacher Training continued this past week in London as part of the Career Ready with CTMA program! Nearly 200 educators participated in hands-on professional learning opportunities designed to strengthen skilled trades education across Ontario. This week participants took part in VEX Robotics, CNC/CAD/CAM training, and Drone Training. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us β€” together, we’re empowering educators, strengthening programs, and building the future of skilled trades education. πŸ’ͺ The learning continues right into the weekend with hands-on sessions in Conventional Lathe & Milling and Welding. #OCTE #CTMA #CareerReadywithCTMA #TeacherTraining #SkilledTrades #STEMEducation #ProfessionalLearning #HandsOnLearning #TakeTech #SHSM #OYAP #ThinkSkilledTrades

Oct 24

Open
At IMW we take apprenticeship training seriously. Here is one of our Red Seal welders Steve training our OYAP employee Cadence, at 17 she will our youngest welder ever. By end of November we believe she will be ready to do her first 6G pipe test. Probably making her one of the youngest pipe welders in Ontario. #welding #oyap #6g

Oct 24

Open
🚨 Calling all Ontario Co-op and Experiential Learning Educators! Join us on Thursday, November 13, 2025 for the Virtual OCEA Fall Symposium: Opportunities for All & Success in a Modern World. πŸ’‘ Choose from 29+ workshops offered in English and French, covering key topics like: πŸ€– Artificial Intelligence (AI) πŸ› οΈ SHSM & OYAP 🧠 Safety, Equity & Leadership πŸ“š Culturally relevant learning, student portfolios, and more! πŸ“ Delivered online via Zoom, this symposium is designed to support educators at all levels (from new to experienced) with practical tools, resources, and inspiration. πŸ”— Learn more & register: ocea.on.ca/events/fall-symposium Let’s build future-ready pathways together. #OCEA #CooperativeEducation #ExperientialLearning #OntarioEducation #SHSM #OYAP #AIinEducation #ProfessionalDevelopment

Oct 23

Open
Look who’s off to their Level 1 Apprenticeship training for Automotive Service Technicians! All the best to our first year apprentices, Ethan from CSS, Cole & Jon from BSS and Jacob from ALCDSB. Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board Bayside Secondary School Centennial Secondary School Loyalist College #OYAP

Oct 23

Open
Congratulations to Centennial Secondary School student, Ethan, from the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, who signed with Belleville Volkswagen for his Automotive Service Technician apprenticeship through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program! Ethan is starting his Level 1 training dual credit course at Loyalist College this month β€” an exciting step forward on his path to a rewarding career in the skilled trades! #Proud2BeHPE #OYAP #ExploreTheTrades

Oct 23

Open
Hands-on learning in action β€” exploring the trades and building the future! πŸ› οΈ Today, our Grade 10 Career Studies students had the incredible opportunity to visit the College of Carpenters and Allied Trades, gaining real-world insight into pathways within the skilled trades. A huge thank you to Nat Gencarelli, our YCDSB OYAP Recruiter, and to our friends at the College for opening their doors and inspiring the next generation of builders and innovators! πŸ‘·β€β™€οΈπŸ‘·β€β™‚οΈ #BlackBearPride #YCDSB #OYAP #SkilledTrades

Oct 23

Open
Hands-on learning in action by exploring the trades, building the future! πŸ› οΈ Today, our Grade 10 Career Studies students had the amazing opportunity to visit the College of Carpenters and Allied Trades to explore future pathways in the skilled trades. Thank you to Nat Gencarelli, our YCDSB OYAP Recruiter, and our friends at the College for sharing their space and inspiring the next generation of builders and innovators! πŸ”¨πŸ—οΈ #BlackBearPride #YCDSB #OYAP #SkilledTrades
View the Intro Video

Discover your true passion!

Consider a career in the skilled trades!