How does Ontario Youth apprenticeship Program work?

Please speak to Mr. Tooley to sign up.

Key Ways to Earn Credits by Working:

• Co-op Programs: Students (often in Grades 11 or 12) combine a work placement with classroom learning to earn credits.

• Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR): For mature students, this process assesses past work and life experience to grant credits required for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

• Requirements: A Work Education Agreement must be signed by all parties, and students usually complete weekly journals or assignments related to their job. 

Benefits:

• Earn While You Learn: Receive a paycheck while earning credits toward graduation.

• Skills Development: Develop transferable skills, gain hands-on experience, and test-drive career options.

• Flexibility: allow for flexible scheduling for working adults. 

Steps to Take:

1. Contact your Guidance Counsellors

2. Ensure Eligibility: Confirm if you qualify for Co-op or Adult Education/PLAR.

3. Sign Agreements: A formal, written Work Education Agreement is required for insurance purposes. 

How PLAR works:

• Demonstration of Learning: You prove you have the knowledge equivalent to a course.

• Assessment Methods: This can involve challenge exams, portfolios, interviews, presentations, or skill demonstrations, chosen by the academic department.

• Types of Experience: Learning from paid work, on-the-job training, community involvement, self-study, hobbies, or military service can count.

• Transcript Notation: Credits are often recorded as a grade (like a letter grade or 'CR' for credit) on your transcript, similar to taking the class. 

Key dates in the TDSB 2025-2026 PLAR challenge process:

STEP 1: APPLICATION PROCESS

• January 14, 2026 -  Applications will be available.

• February 26, 2026 - Applications, with appropriate documentation, must be submitted by 4:00 pm to the school Guidance Office. 

• March 25, 2026 - Principal or school designate notifies applicants if their application was successful or unsuccessful in proceeding to step 2, the PLAR Assessment. Unsuccessful applicants may file an appeal within 5 days. 

• Successful applicants will move on to step 2 of the process. 

• April 1, 2026 - Final date for successful students to confirm, in writing, that they are committed to undertake the challenge process.  

STEP 2: ASSESSMENT PROCESS 

• April 7, 2026 to April 10, 2026 - PLAR Assessors contact students to schedule assessments. 

• April 13, 2026 to May 8, 2026  - Students complete PLAR Assessments 

• May 1, 2026 - Last date for students to withdraw from Challenge without a mark appearing on the transcript.

• May 27, 2026 - Students to receive final mark.