Apprenticeship is a hands-on training program for students who want to work in a skilled trade and enjoy learning by doing. Apprenticeship training allows students to learn the necessary skills while working with qualified trades people. Some training takes place in the classroom but the majority of the training occurs in the actual workplace. These trades (156 in Ontario) often provide a very good living because of the specific skill sets acquired and the life long learning required of the worker.
A student working toward their Ontario Secondary School Diploma can be placed in an apprenticeable training experience through a Co-op placement, Focus Program or a Specialist High Skills Major Program where they receive practical experiences that may be counted towards the completion of their apprenticeship. The OYAP, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, starts with co-operative education and an interest in a skilled trade. From co-op, the student working in a trade specific placement will have the opportunity to identify as an OYAP apprentice with the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities.
Apprenticeship is one of the post-secondary pathway destinations students can choose as an outcome to secondary school education. Apprenticeship is a method of learning used in the skilled trades through a combination of on-the-job training and technical in-school learning based on the Training Standards provided by the Ontario College of Trades.
On-the-job training comprises about 90 per cent of the total training time, while the in-school component typically occurs at a college in eight-week blocks or one-day release for 40 weeks, depending on the availability and the Curriculum Standard.