December 11, 2006

Record Numbers Participating In Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program

HAMILTON –The government is helping record numbers of high school students start their formal skilled trades training while still in high school, Chris Bentley, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, announced today.

Offered through Ontario’s secondary school system, the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program provides cooperative education and workplace-based experiences in the skilled trades to high school students.

A record 24,000 students are expected to take part in the program in 2006-07. This is almost double the 12,700 participants in 2002-03.More than 19,000 employers participated last year.

"It's clear from research that a one-size-fits-all approach to education results in some students being left behind,” said Ted McMeekin, MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Aldershot. “OYAP is providing an excellent link in helping students consider and make successful career choices. Thanks to our community partners, our young people have more opportunities and choice and that has to be good for all of us."

“Many of the co-op students that we have mentored have been a definite asset to my business, and I know its been a positive experience for them too. It gives them some direction, many stay in the trade, and a few have even gone on to start their own business,” said Al Baker, owner of Al’s Autoservice in Waterdown. “We need this program in place to get people into the trades because there is a personnel shortage already and we don’t want it to get worse.

 “Our government is committed to reaching every student with learning opportunities that match their interests and ambitions,” said Education Minister Kathleen Wynne. “Workplace learning provides an excellent opportunity for many students to acquire the skills and knowledge they need to graduate high school and build a promising career.”

The government is also working on other initiatives to provide opportunities for Ontarians, including:

• Investing $6.2 billion more in postsecondary education and training by 2009-10 – the most significant multi-year investment in Ontario's higher education system in 40 years
• Investing $127 million this year in Employment Ontario’s Job Connect services to link employers with both youth and adults, including three new centres with a special focus on helping newcomers.

“Investing in apprenticeship benefits everyone,” said Bentley. “Through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, we’re working to make sure Ontario’s apprenticeship system provides Ontario with the skilled workforce needed to compete in today’s economy.”

For more information about the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, contact Employment Ontario, online at www.ontario.ca/employmentontario, or by calling 1-800-387-5656.