About Experiential Learning Opportunities!

“It’s great to be able to take courses to find out what you’re really good at, before you have to decide where you’re going next. I firmly believe lessons learned beyond the classroom are equally, if not more important than the ones learned within.”
-Cooperative education student

OYAP, Cooperative Education &
Experiential Learning News and Information...

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OYAP 2009-2010!
The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program is ready to go for another very busy year! Be sure to check the calendar on this page for updates on all this year's events.

If you have ever wondered about a career in the skilled trades and technologies, then this is your opportunity to try it out!

District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) students can earn high school credits and log their skills towards a postsecondary education as an apprentice…at the same time! Last year, over 400 DSBN students took advantage of this outstanding program which allows students to begin working on their postsecondary education as an apprentice. Any grade 11 or 12 students in any DSBN secondary school can participate in the program!

A high school OYAP student:

• is earning cooperative education credits for work experience in an apprenticeship occupation.

• must be at least 16 years of age and must have completed 16 credits towards their OSSD.

• must be enrolled full-time in high school during the program.

In addition to OYAP, the DSBN is pleased to provide students with a wide variety of additional opportunities to explore careers through experiential learning. Here are just a few of the upcoming opportunities that co-op students can benefit from during the 2009-2010 school year.

• This year there are 29 Specialist High Skills Major Programs running within the District School Board of Niagara in Construction, Manufacturing, Welding, Hospitality & Tourism, Transportation, Communications, Energy, Business and The Arts.

• Students can hone and refine their skills by participating in over 30 different DSBN Skills Challenges that will be in the spotlight during Skills Month 2010! Remember that these challenges are open to co-op students and co-op teachers are encouraged to celebrate the achievements of their students by registering co-op students into the challenges. Many co-op students have gone on to win provincial medals after training for the competition with their co-op employer!

• "Skills Work! for Women!" Networking Dinner

• "Skills Work! What’s out There?" Free in-school presentations

Participating in a range of these special programs provides DSBN students with a thorough understanding of career opportunities within the skilled trades and allows them to “try on” career opportunities while still in high school.

To find out more, visit your Co-op, Guidance or Technology Teacher today!

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