Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) Students may have the opportunity for reach ahead within their apprenticeship pathway while still in secondary school! Students placed in an apprenticeship pathway in co-op can work to secure a Registered Training Agreement (RTA) through their employer. This training agreement helps advance the student apprenticeship forward and makes students eligible for College and Apprenticeship training while still in high school.
Here is the information around applying to Level 1 opportunities for the 2024-2025 school year.
Algonquin College - OYAP Level 1's
These programs are exclusively for students who have been able to secure a Registered Training Agreement through their employer. If you have a student who has secured an RTA and is interested in participating in one of these programs, please submit an application to Algonquin College through the link below:
Application Portal: The portal is now open for Fall25 applications
Password: OYAP25/26
St. Lawrence College - Welding Level 1 Program
These programs are exclusively for students who have been able to secure a Registered Training Agreement through their employer. If you have a student who has secured an RTA and is interested in participating in one of these programs, please submit an application to Algonquin College through the link below:
Here is the link to access the Fall 2025 OYAP details:
https://www.stlawrencecollege.ca/learn/dual-credit-program-for-high-school-students/Apprenticeship
Please use the following password to access the content: Fall25DC
The portal will remain open until Thursday, June 20 at 4:00 p.m.
Ontario Masonry Training Centre - Masonry Level 1 Pre-Apprenticeship Program
This program typically runs semester 2 and is a chance for students to participate in Masonry learning and develop their skills and aptitudes for this industry. This is a specialized program that does not require students have an RTA in hand in order to take part in this program.
Program Details
In-Class portion is typically 8 to 12 weeks, after which students would begin a paid placement
Starts in second semester (February/March)
Monday to Friday
Hours are 8am to 4pm
Click Here to complete an expression of interest on behalf of your student(s)!
This program is fully funded by the Government of Ontario: NO Tuition Fee, FREE Tools, FREE Textbook, FREE Safety Gear, FREE Safety Training , PAID Work Placement!
A Registered Training Agreement (RTA) is a document that reflects when a qualified employer has agreed to take an apprentice. When this happens, a student progresses from being an OYAP Participant, and is now considered an OYAP Registrant. An OYAP Registrant Form 2 is used when the apprentice and employer sponsor agree to enter into a formal contract called a Register Training Agreement (RTA), which allows the apprentice to begin working on the competencies in the Training Standards Manual for their respective trade. In trades that require accumulated hours, the apprentice can begin to count their placement hours.
If the student has shown great interest in pursuing their trade post-secondary, is keen to take their learning to the next level, and is performing well at their placement, it is appropriate to begin conversation with the employer.
You can simply ask to meet specifically about the potential of an RTA. The employer will be able to determine if the student is ready. Co-op teachers can share the Engaging Employers document, available through Innovation and Adolescent Learning, which outlines all of the benefits and considerations when the employer agrees to signing a student.
Absolutely not. Employer Sponsors may terminate the RTA at any time, without consequence for themselves or the student.
Procedure for RTA
Steps to follow:
Complete and print the OYAP Registrant Form 2 from MTEL and have all parties sign and complete the appropriate sections
Submit OYAP Registrant Form 2 to david.hubbard@ocdsb.ca who will generate a Registered Training Agreement (RTA)
Get all parties to sign the RTA and return a copy to david.hubbard@ocdsb.ca
Once the student is registered in the ministry system they will be mailed a copy of their training standard booklet