a. Traditional Route

A person in the community finds an employer (or Local Apprenticeship Council/Joint Apprenticeship Council) willing to hire him /her and arranges an apprenticeship agreement with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU). Toronto Office 416-326-5800. The registration normally costs the individual $40.00. The apprentice works for about a year and must go for in-school theory at a T.D.A. (training delivery agent - community college/union training centre). The route provides 80% on-the-job training and 20% in-school theory.

Currently most apprentices pay approximately $400 for eight weeks of trade school. The traditional professions have three eight-week blocks (Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced) over the five-year period. These apprentices usually can earn Employment Insurance while at the eight-week in-school since they will have accumulated credit while working. They receive pay increases with each level achieved. (Note also that the MTCU pays 80% of the cost of the in-school tuition for all apprentices in Ontario.)

b. College Routes

• i. Regular College Program
  A student graduates from Grade 12 and goes to community college. After completing a diploma, the student finds an employer and starts the experiential part of his or her apprenticeship. The MTCU training consultant will assess the situation and may grant some time credit for work done to date. Note that the student pays the full tuition for college in this situation.
• ii. Co-op Diploma Apprenticeship Program
  The new Co-op Diploma Apprenticeship Program provides a direct path for people interested in pursuing apprenticeship training and obtaining a college diploma. Students in these programs pay full tuition and receive trades training, college certificate, diploma or other post-secondary credential, and get instruction in entrepreneurship. Many of these apprentices will go on to set up their own businesses once they become certified skilled workers.

c. OYAP Route (While working on an Ontario Secondary School Diploma)

• i. “Regular Co-op” OYAP
  Any full time student in any high school who is at least 16 years old with at least 16 credits can become an apprentice through OYAP if the co-op teacher can get a licensed supervisor at the place of employment to sponsor the student. This scenario includes any of the 150+ trades. This allows students to start their apprenticeships while completing their Grade 12 diplomas. They acquire hours and skills towards their Certificate of Qualification. (Over 21? Contact an Adult Learning Centre.)
  ii. “Accelerated” OYAP (semestered)
  There are currently fifteen “accelerated” OYAP programs designed (in conjunction with neighbouring school boards), so that a select group of OYAP students can complete all or part of their Basic Level in-school trade training during their final semester. The Basic Level in-school is free. These students are on special timetables that include the 440 hours for the co-op credits, plus up to 240 hours of in-school at a training-delivery agent. There is currently only one class in each profession and students must have completed all their compulsory subjects, be near graduation, apply and be interviewed. These students graduate as second level apprentices. These are intensive programs and only those with sufficient expertise, readiness to handle the “college level” theory and commitment to pursuing the specific apprenticeship should pursue this route.
  iii. “Specialized Technological Studies/Co-op” OYAP (non-semestered)
  Pre-apprenticeship opportunities are available through “Specialized” Technological Studies/Co-op programs. These are offered as 4th and “5th year OYAP” opportunities in our composite schools. Students who do well, may apply to write the apprenticeship trade Level 1 exemption exam. Students must be under 21 years old to participate in regular secondary school programs.