Education

OYAP-FAST Program

OYAP-FAST – New September 2025

 

The Focused Apprenticeship Skills Training (FAST) is an accelerated stream within OYAP that will allow students in Grades 11 and 12 to participate in more apprenticeship learning through additional co-operative education credits while completing their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).  

To participate in OYAP-FAST, students must:

  • Meet the OYAP eligibility requirements
    •  Be 15 years old or older
    • Have completed 14 credits towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma
    • Complete an OYAP Participant Form during their Co-op placement
  • Complete the Intent to Register Application Form available from the school Coop and Guidance Departments
  • Have signed parent/guardian consent to participate in OYAP-FAST

Completion requirements for OYAP-FAST include that a student has:

  • Earned 8 to 11 Cooperative Education credits with their placement component in the skilled trades.
  • Registered as an apprentice (obtained a Registered Training Agreement (RTA) by the time they complete their eighth cooperative education credit. This will be contingent upon the skills of the student and the willingness of an employer to sign the student as an apprentice. The school board cannot guarantee that all students who are participating in the OYAP -FAST program will obtain a Registered Training Agreement through the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

Other Considerations:

  •  Although it's not required, it is recommended that a grade 12 math course is completed on top of the above listed components.
  • While the OYAP-FAST program does provide an alternative pathway for students to achieve an OSSD, there may be post-secondary limitations to the OYAP-FAST OSSD seal. Students should consider all their pathway options before committing to OYAP-FAST.

Students who meet the above completion requirements and all other OSSD requirements will be awarded the OYAP-FAST seal on their OSSD, and OYAP-FAST will be listed in the Specialized Program field of the Ontario Student Transcript (OST). If a student has already been granted an OSSD, it cannot be exchanged for an OSSD with the OYAP-FAST seal.

Pathway Considerations

Students who are in this program should be quite confident that they are pursuing the apprenticeship pathway for their post-secondary education.  Students must start the process by completing the Intent to Register Application Form available from their Guidance Counsellor or Coop Teacher at their school.  The school board cannot guarantee that all students who register with the OYAP-FAST program will be signed on as apprentices.

For more information about the apprenticeship pathway and the skilled trades, please visit the  Skilled Trades Ontario website.

Employer Registration Form

The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) Fast Track (OYAP-FAST) is an exciting opportunity for employers to support the skilled trades by helping local high school students gain valuable hands-on experience in their field of interest. Through OYAP-FAST, students can begin their apprenticeship journey while completing their high school diploma, giving them a head start toward a rewarding career. We are currently inviting employers in our district to register their interest in becoming OYAP employer partners. If you are open to providing mentorship and real-world training to local youth, please sign up to be contacted about the options available and how you can play a vital role in shaping the next generation of skilled trades professionals.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is Focused Apprenticeship Skills Training (FAST)?

Focused Apprenticeship Skills Training (FAST) is an accelerated stream within OYAP that will allow students in Grades 11 and 12 to participate in more apprenticeship learning through additional co-operative education credits while completing their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). 

 

Eligibility Requirements

  • Be at least 15 years of age or older. 
  • Have completed 14 credits toward the OSSD. 
  • Be enrolled as a part-time or full-time student in a secondary school or continuing education program. 
  • Complete an OYAP Participation Form during a co-operative education placement in a skilled trade.  
  • Provide a signed parent/guardian consent form if the student is under 18 years. 

 

To complete OYAP-FAST, Students must:

  • Earn 8 t0 11 co-op credits with their placement component in the skilled trades. 
  • Register as an apprentice by securing a Registered Training Agreement (RTA) before completing an eighth co-op education credit. 

For current Grade 10 and 11 students, co-op credits earned can count toward two of their Group 1, 2 and 3 compulsory credits or be counted as electives. 

 

Benefits of Selecting the OYAP-FAST Pathway

In selecting courses for the student's Grade 11 and 12 school year, consideration should be given not only to ensuring the student meets their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) requirements, but also that they are keeping doors open to post-secondary programs of interest.  For example, while the OSSD requirements may have only English as a compulsory credit in their Grade 12 year, an apprenticeship-bound student may also with to take Math or Physics courses required by colleges or unions tied to their trade sector of interest. 

OYAP-FAST students may limit their ability to apply to college and/or university programs depending on the courses selected by the student over their high school career and the constraints of their timetable.  Students who are in this program should be quite confident that they are pursuing the apprenticeship pathway for their post-secondary education.  Conversations with their Guidance Counsellor are strongly encouraged as well as accessing skilled trades and apprenticeship-specific resources such as Skilled Trades Ontario.  

In each of the senior grades, OYAP-FAST students are advised to take at least 4 co-op credits in order to ensure they meet the 8 Co-op credit minimum for this pathway. 

 

Course Selection and Program Participation Steps

Students wishing to pursue the OYAP-FAST pathway will be directed by their Guidance Counsellor to select Coop during the registration process.  Parents/guardians must approve the student's course requests. 

 

Questions

If you have questions about OYAP-FAST, please contact your Guidance Councellor, Cooperative Education Teacher or email Shawna Grouette, OYAP Recruiter for the Superior-Greenstone District School Board at sgrouette@sgdsb.on.ca