The Ontario government has announced additional funding for two foundational programs to help thousands of young people prepare for careers in the skilled trades.
The province said it will invest an additional $21.1 million into the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), which provides students who have completed Grade 10 the chance to explore the trades through cooperative education courses.
The government will also be sending 72 recruiters from the program to secondary schools across the province to “compete directly with colleges and universities.”
“We need more young people to know university isn’t the only path to success in life,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, in a news release. “Our government will continue to invest in expanding opportunities for students and young people so everyone in Ontario has a fair shot at a life-changing career.”
Another $41.8 million will be invested to launch roughly 100 pre-apprenticeship training projects that will help young people get first-hand experience working in trades. The training courses can last up to 52 weeks and include a paid work placement. The training will be free for participants and costs for textbooks, safety equipment and tools will all be covered.
According to the province, apprenticeship registrations have seen a 24 per cent increase so far this year.