On June 11, 2013, Loyalist College welcomed 45 Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) participants, their family and friends, and representatives from five area school boards and the Ministry of Training to the 2013 OYAP Completion Ceremony.
OYAP is a cooperative education opportunity between local school boards, the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, employers, and Loyalist. Provincially funded, the program allows students 16 years or older to complete their high school diploma while working toward their apprenticeship. At Loyalist, students can participate in several programs, including Automotive Service Technician, Child Development Practitioner and Cook training. What makes this opportunity desirable for students is the option to apply to a college-level program with advanced standing, enabling them in some cases to go directly into their second semester.
“Almost six months ago, I welcomed you all to Loyalist College at the beginning of the program,” said Jim Whiteway, Acting Dean of Skilled Trades and Technology, during his opening address. “Since then, I have watched you grow and become more confident in the way you carry yourselves.”
John O’Rourke, the Director of Skills Programming at Loyalist, thanked all of the parents who supported and encouraged their children to pursue a career in the Skilled Trades. “The negative stigma of the skilled trade professions still exists,” he said. “There is currently a mismatch of skills of people seeking employment and the skill sets required in the workplace, but this will not be the case with this year’s OYAP participants.”
Eleanor MacNiven Hoecht, from the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, spoke on behalf of OYAP coordinators and highlighted this year’s OYAP session’s highlights, telling students to “embrace your future.”
During the ceremony, a class representative from each of the programs spoke about their incredible experiences and the passion their professors shared with them. Some OYAP students will be returning to Loyalist in the fall as full-time students, while others have secured employment and will enter the work force as registered apprentices.