Education Guide
EducationGrade 11 or 12 students with 16+ credits
OYAP eligibility
Ontario Ministry of Education — OYAP Guidelines
144 (including 23 compulsory certification)
Number of certifiable trades in Ontario
Skilled Trades Ontario
Approximately 50%
Apprenticeship completion rate (Ontario average)
Canadian Apprenticeship Forum
$2,000 federal grant upon certification
Apprenticeship completion bonus
Government of Canada — Apprenticeship Incentive Grant
OYAP is a School-to-Work program for Ontario students in Grade 11 or 12. It lets students begin apprenticeship training while completing their high school diploma. Students earn co-op credits through workplace placements in skilled trades.
To participate, students need a minimum of 16 credits. They must be at least 15 years old. A cooperative education teacher coordinates placements with local employers. OYAP is available through all Ontario school boards.
For autistic students, OYAP provides a gradual transition into the workplace. The school supports remain in place during the placement. Accommodation plans from the IEP can be shared with employers to ensure a smooth experience.
Under the Ontario Human Rights Code, employers must accommodate apprentices with disabilities. This applies to the workplace training component. Accommodations might include modified schedules, written instructions, or a quieter workspace.
The duty to accommodate applies unless it causes undue hardship. The employer, training delivery agent, and apprentice should collaborate on solutions. Documentation of the disability is typically required.
Skilled Trades Ontario oversees apprenticeship registration. They can provide guidance on accommodation during the in-school training portions. Exam accommodations are also available through the trades certification process.
Apprenticeship completion rates in Ontario hover around 50% across all trades. For autistic apprentices, targeted support can improve outcomes. Employment Ontario service providers offer pre-apprenticeship programs with extra coaching.
Community agencies like Autism Ontario can help connect families with trade-focused employment programs. Some regions offer specialized job coaching for autistic individuals entering trades.
Financial support is available through the apprenticeship completion bonus and OSAP grants for apprentices. These help offset lost income during in-school training periods.
Ontario Ministry of Education
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) guidelines (edu.gov.on.ca)
Skilled Trades Ontario
Apprenticeship registration and trade classifications (skilledtradesontario.ca)
Commitment to Accuracy: Our data is verified against official government reports (FAO, MCCSS), peer-reviewed scientific literature, and accessible public records. Last updated: March 24, 2026.
Verified Facts
Under the Ontario Education Act, every student with special needs is entitled to an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and access to an Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC)
88,175, children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program
1 in 50, According to the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, about children and youth aged 1 to 17 in Canada had an autism diagnosis
23.4%, Only 20,666 children have active funding agreements () — less than one in four
WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism — timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement