Youth Apprenticeship Programs
If you are in high school and fairly certain about which trade is for you, there are free opportunities to experience what it’s like to work in that field before you graduate. Some programs even allow for your hours to be counted toward your apprenticeship, giving you a head start in your career!
Get a head start on your apprenticeship and experience what it’s like to work in that field before you graduate while still in high school! Free programs are offered in your province/territory where you can earn credit toward your diploma AND your post-secondary apprenticeship program.
Alberta
The Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) allows high school students to participate in an apprenticeship program while they are still attending school. Through a flexible schedule, RAP apprentices earn hours of on-the-job training and work experience as credit towards their apprenticeship program, and their high school diploma.
British Columbia
SkilledTradesBC gives youth exposure to skilled trades careers starting in elementary school. Discover, Explore, Train and Work in Trades programs are offered through the K–12 system across the province.
SkilledTradesBC and the BC Ministry of Education and Child Care (ECC) teamed up to offer students an opportunity to complete their technical training and gain trades work experience while still in high school by enrolling in dual credit programs: Youth Train in Trades and Youth Work in Trades. Students in Youth in Trades are registered with SkilledTradesBC and take a Foundation or Level 1 technical training program through a designated training provider. Youth Work in Trades program is the work-based component of an apprenticeship, which allows students to earn both, secondary school graduation credits and hours towards trade certification.
Manitoba
The High School Apprenticeship Program (HSAP) lets you start your apprenticeship training while enrolled at a high school. Combining regular high school instruction with part-time on-the-job paid employment/training, credit will be granted toward your post-secondary apprenticeship program.
Youth Build is a job training and pre-apprenticeship program whereby young people are working under the supervision of a journeyperson to renovate homes and develop building skills. Young people can attend the Youth Build Program full time, as an alternative to school. In Manitoba, there is a 30 hour per week paid vocational component and a 10 hour per week unpaid academic component.
New Brunswick
The New Brunswick Teen Apprentice Program (NBTAP) is a three-year pre-apprentice program for students starting in Grade 10. While still in high school, qualifying students are mentored by a participating NBTAP skilled trades employer in their area. NBTAP includes two or three paid summer work terms where the learn practical trade and workplace skills.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Skills Canada works to encourage and support a coordinated Canadian approach to promoting skilled trades and technologies to youth. Skills Canada/Newfoundland & Labrador works to educate and encourage young Canadians to develop skills that address labour shortages and support Canada’s economic well-being.
Northwest Territories
The Schools North Apprenticeship Program (SNAP) is a work experience program for NWT high school students. It provides students who are interested in skilled trades with a way to gain valuable work experience while also attending high school and earning credits.
Nova Scotia
High school students under the age of 20 can participate in Workit, a youth apprenticeship initiative.
Options and Opportunities (O2) offers students more hands-on learning experiences with a career focus. It’s designed to prepare students for successful transitions from high school to work, a career path, or a post-secondary program.
Ontario
The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is a School to Work program that opens the door for students to explore and work in apprenticeship occupations starting in Grade 11 or Grade 12 while earning Cooperative Education credits.
Prince Edward Island
Youth Apprenticeship or Accelerated Secondary Youth Apprenticeship Program (ASAP) is for students wanting to gain a head-start on the post-secondary apprenticeship training program while working toward their Grade 12 diploma. You can transfer up to 110 hours per course to a post-secondary apprenticeship.
Québec
Québec offers vocational and technical education programs under the apprenticeship system, which are run jointly by Emploi-Québec and the Ministère du Travail, de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship (SYA) gives you head start on your skilled career by waiving registration and Level 1 apprentice tuition costs as well as credit for 300 hours of trades training. SYA Industry Scholarships are awarded to selected, eligible high school graduates who have completed the SYA Program and will be pursuing a career in the skilled trades.
Yukon
The Yukon Secondary School Apprenticeship Training program allows you to work in a trade part-time during the school year and full-time during the summer. Your working hours can count towards your apprenticeship requirements while you earn your high school diploma.