Programs

Secondary

Cooperative Education

What is cooperative education?

Cooperative Education (co-op) gives students the opportunity for hands-on experience in a career they may choose to pursue in their future.
Co-op allows students to earn high school credits through integrated course curriculum while learning at a work placement.
When co-op placements involve work in skilled trades, students are considered Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program participants.

Who can participate?

Students who have completed Grade 10 in any pathway – apprenticeship, college, community, university, or workplace can participate in a 1, 2 or 4 credit co-op placement.

Benefits

Students:

Gain workplace experience.
Develop employability skills and work habits.
Learn hands-on learning in a safe and encouraging environment in a trade or career of choice.
Pursue a work placement based on student interests and explore a possible career.
Connect and build relationships with potential future employers.
Make informed decisions about future work, careers, and education.
Earn credits toward their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
Earn co-op credits at a paid job during night school or summer school co-op.

For additional information:

OYAP website
View Night School and/or Summer School Co-op in TLDSB website.
Talk to your school’s Co-op teacher to discuss options.

Dual Credits

What are Dual Credit programs?

High school students (Grade 11 and 12) can take a college course, taught by a college instructor, and earn both a college credits and a high school credit.
These courses are offered during the school year, usually once a week in the daytime, and are in addition to regular high school classes.
These courses are usually taught at the college campus.
Students can earn up to four optional credits towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

Who can participate?

Students who are currently in Grade 11 or 12.
Students who fit the primary target group. For example, students who are capable but are not engaged in school, or have many absences, or are missing a credit to graduate, or are unsure of their future pathway.
Students who are participating in specialized programs including, Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) and/or Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP).
Students who want to explore possible careers and experience college.

Benefits

Students:

Try out a college course with the support of a high school teacher.
Increase potential for a smooth transition to college or apprenticeship programs.
Earn certifications and support SHSM requirements.
Get a head start on post-secondary education.
Increase awareness of post-secondary pathways and careers.

For additional information

Ministry of Ontario’s Dual Credit Programs Document
Contact your school’s Guidance Department for more information.

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program

TLDSB is accepting 2026 OYAP Level 1 applications!

This opportunity is available to current Grade 11 students who are interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades. It allows students to complete the first part of their apprenticeship schooling, all while participating in the cooperative (co-op) education program and completing their secondary school diploma.

Learn more by visiting our recent news post.

What is OYAP?

OYAP is a school-to-work program for students to explore apprenticeship careers after they have completed Grade 10, through the cooperative education program.
Students can become registered apprentices and begin to work towards becoming certified journeypersons in a skilled trade while completing their secondary school diplomas.
There are various ways to participate in OYAP. See the examples below:
– OYAP participants → students in co-op placements in the skilled trades.
– OYAP registered apprentices → students with signed registered training agreements (r.t.a.’s), who have officially started their apprenticeships.
– OYAP Level 1 → students selected to participate in the first level of trade school while in their final year of high school.
– OYAP Focused Apprenticeship Skills Training (FAST) → students who earn 8-11 cooperative education credits and sign a registered training agreement with their employer while obtaining 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).

Who can participate?

Students must be at least 15 years of age (some workplaces have a minimum age requirement of 16).
Students must have completed 14 credits.
Students must be working towards the completion of all OSSD requirements.

Benefits

Students:

Start a career in the skilled trades while still in high school.
Gain employability skills and a network with businesses.
Acquire hours and skills toward the apprenticeship.
Participate in a hands-on learning experience and application of classroom theory to the workplace.
Increase awareness of workplace demands, skills, and needs.

Employers:

Increase employer exposure within the community.
Access new employees at no cost.
Help build a skilled workforce and promote youth retention in the community.
Develop leadership and supervisory skills in employees.

For additional information:

Learn about TLDSB Level 1 OYAP Program Information.
Visit the Sponsor an apprentice page on the Skilled Trades Ontario website for more information.
Visit the Skilled Trades Ontario website.
Visit the OYAP website.
Contact your school’s Guidance Department for more information.

Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM)

What are SHSM programs?

SHSM programs allow senior students to become specialists in a particular sector.
All SHSM programs include specific courses related to the chosen sector, a cooperative education placement, certifications, and industry-specific opportunities.
Students graduate with a SHSM Seal and formal recognition on their OSSD.

Who can participate?

Students in Grade 11 or 12 participate in SHSM
Students in all pathways (apprenticeship, college, university, workplace) can participate.

Benefits

Students:

Explore career goals and make decisions about the future.
Customize secondary school education to suit individual interests and talents, and develop specialized knowledge and skills.
Take high school courses that match interests and strengths.
Develop specialized knowledge and skills.
Gain work experience though co-op.
Participate in industry training that is recognized by post-secondary educational institutions and the chosen sector.
Capitalize on free learning opportunities!

For additional information

SHSM page on the Ontario government’s website
Contact your school’s Guidance Department for more information.

Programs

Secondary

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Cooperative Education

What is cooperative education?

Who can participate?

Benefits

Students:

For additional information:

Dual Credits

What are Dual Credit programs?

Who can participate?

Benefits

Students:

For additional information

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program

What is OYAP?

Who can participate?

Benefits

Students:

Employers:

For additional information:

Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM)

What are SHSM programs?

Who can participate?

Benefits

Students:

For additional information

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