AVON MAITLAND DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Over 40 Students in AMDSB Achieved an Apprenticeship in the 2020-21 School Year

The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) supports students by allowing them to start their apprenticeship while they are still in high school. Students who are in a cooperative education program, and have a placement with an employer in one of the 144 skilled trades in Ontario, have an opportunity to start their apprenticeship early through OYAP. "We often see that when students show good work ethic and have an aptitude for the trade, the co-op employer is willing to discuss the potential to register a student as an apprentice", said Tony Roes, Cooperative Education Department Head of Stratford District Secondary School.

CHSS student Damien Willert signed as a Truck and Coach Technician at Altruck International
 

Students across the Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB) have been attending cooperative education throughout the entire school year and many of those students were participating in a skilled trade that was deemed essential by the province. With such a demand for the skilled trades, there were many opportunities for students that became available for an apprenticeship.

By the end of the semester, there were 44 students who had achieved a registered training agreement and had started their apprenticeship during their grade 12 year. One of the goals of OYAP is to support the students in finding an employer who is looking to mentor and train the student throughout their apprenticeship. When this is successful, the student will start their apprenticeship in high school and continue on at the workplace once they graduate. Students may be able to use their hours at their co-op to count towards their apprenticeship and in some instances, the student may have completed their Level 1 training while they were in school. Victoria Wierenga, a student from St. Marys D.C.V.I., registered as an apprentice through OYAP with IFH Designs and Installations and completed her Level 1 training in the plumber trade through Conestoga College. "The Dual Credit Level 1 Plumbing program helped me to gain experience in order to prepare me for working on job sites. It has boosted my confidence in my knowledge significantly and has helped me to get further ahead in my plumbing career."

GDCI student Cameron Adams signed as an Automotive Service Technician at McGee Motors Ltd.
 

"The increase in students achieving an apprenticeship through OYAP this year has been made possible due to our amazing co-op employers throughout Huron and Perth counties." said Jodi Froud, Pathways Coordinator. "Without the support of our continuing and new co-op placements, our students would not have the opportunity to start their post-secondary education through an apprenticeship in OYAP". There were a variety of trades that students pursued an apprenticeship in this year, including plumber, automotive service technician, welder, electrician, truck and coach technician, industrial millwright, agricultural equipment technician, residential air conditioning systems mechanic, brick and stone mason, sheet metal worker, general machinist, metal fabricator and hairstylist.

As these students enter the workforce and continue their education through an apprenticeship, they are already ahead and connected to their future goals.

SDSS student Reid Forthuber signed as an Electrician - Construction & Maintenance at Kelly's Electric Ltd.
 

For more information on the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and other pathways programming offered at AMDSB, visit amdsb.ca/pathways