This tab is dedicated to the AGGLFN YOUTHS.

We post as much knowledge and information here to help support our youths who want to or who are very eager to tackle the future by: setting clear goals, developing new skills, accessing training and increasing their capabilities and adaptability to life’s challenges.

You say to yourself “I don’t have to think about that right now; I am still in high school.”

Sorry but yes you do!

We stand strong and encourage everyone of you to take the initiative to forge ahead down the right path.

Educational Information

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program

Overview

The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) offers students the opportunity to train as apprentices while completing their secondary school diploma. The program encourages young people to: enter apprenticeship training while in school or after graduation; stay in school to complete secondary school requirements; enter other postsecondary programs leading to technical occupations.

How do you qualify for the Youth apprenticeship program in Ontario?

Have successfully completed a minimum of 14 credits toward their OSSD; Be at least 15 years of age; and be enrolled full-time or part-time in a secondary school at a DSB.

The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) allows students the opportunity to experience an apprenticeship trade or occupation while they are still in secondary school. This gives the student the ability to make an informed decision about a potential career in the skilled trades.

Apprentices must be at least 18 years old in most circumstances. Some pathways such as the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program allow secondary school students who are 16 or 17 years old to begin early training in select occupations such as Carpenter or Automotive Technician. Find out more about OYAP.

It’s highly competitive. To be an apprentice, you have to get out there, apply for work, impress at interview and be offered a job. You need to stand out as a must-hire candidate that an employer can see will be a good fit for their business with the potential to grow into the role and progress in the organization.

School-based apprenticeships and traineeships provide students aged 15 years or older with valuable employment skills, hands-on industry experience and a nationally recognized qualification, while still completing secondary school qualifications.

The Youth Apprenticeship Program allows high school students to participate in an apprenticeship program while they are still attending school.

How much does an Apprenticeship make in Ontario?

As of Aug 29, 2025, the average hourly pay for an Apprenticeship in Ontario is $15.11 an hour.

Apprentices get paid for the “on-the-job” training portion of their program, which allows them to earn money while learning valuable skills and gaining experience. While in-class, technical training periods are unpaid work, apprentices may be eligible for financial support, such as Employment Insurance (EI) or special benefits, to help cover these costs.

Visit the OYAP Ontario.ca page for program information aimed at the public.

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program – Focused Apprenticeship Skills Training (OYAP-FAST)

OYAP-FAST is an accelerated stream of OYAP that allows students in Grade 11 and 12 to participate in more apprenticeship learning while working towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

To be eligible for OYAP-FAST, students must meet the OYAP eligibility requirements listed above.

Students will be awarded the OYAP-FAST seal on their OSSD upon completing the requirements and all other OSSD requirements. For more information, please contact either your:

board’s OYAP recruiter
school guidance counsellor
co-op teacher

How to apply

Contact the OYAP recruiter for your school board.

You can also:

talk to your guidance counsellor or co-op education teacher at school
contact Employment Ontario with your counsellor or teacher with any questions
visit the OYAP website

Helpful Links

Apprenticeship in Ontario

Posted on January 8, 2025

Start an Apprenticeship

Posted on January 8, 2025

Prepare for Apprenticeship

Posted on January 8, 2025

Homepage – OYAP

Posted on January 8, 2025

Overview

An apprenticeship is a pathway to a rewarding career in the trades. As an apprentice, you take classes and learn your trade by working under the direction of experienced workers – and get paid while you do it.

Find out how to qualify, find a sponsor or employer to hire you, or get money or grants to help you pay for apprenticeship training and tools.

Skilled Trades Ontario

Skilled Trades Ontario oversees the apprenticeship process in Ontario from start to finish.

Job seekers can learn how to start a career in the skilled trades and employers can learn about the benefits of hiring an apprentice.

Learn more at Skilled Trades Ontario.

Grants, Scholarships and Bursaries

Below are some helpful links from other organizations to apply for educational funding such as: Grants, Scholarships and Bursaries.

Indspire

Indspire is an Indigenous national charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada.

For more information click on the following link: https://indspire.ca/

Grants, Bursaries & Scholarships

-Indspire – Website

OSAP GRANTS IN ONTARIO

WEBSITE: https://www.ontario.ca/page/osap-ontario-student-assistance-program

Who qualifies for OSAP grants in Ontario?

To be eligible, you will need to meet the following conditions: Be an Ontario resident who is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada, or a protected person (international students are not eligible for OSAP) Be registered in an OSAP approved program. Be enrolled in an eligible course load.

What is the maximum grant you can get from OSAP?

Federal grant funding

Full-Time Students (maximum $6,300 per academic year, subject to a weekly maximum)
Students with Disabilities (maximum $2,800 per academic year)
Full-Time Students with Dependents (maximum $280 per child per month)

Ontario Learn and Stay Grant

About the grant

The Ontario Learn and Stay Grant provides funding for students studying in priority postsecondary programs in underserved and growing communities in Northern, Southwestern and Eastern Ontario. This program:

requires you to work in the region where you studied
responds to labor market needs, including in health care
helps underserved and growing communities get the workers they need for in-demand professions

The grant will cover the cost of:

tuition
compulsory fees
books
other direct educational costs (for example, supplies, equipment)

Find out which programs, postsecondary institutions and regions are eligible for students starting in the 2025–2026 academic year.

You can also apply for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) to help pay for other expenses, such as living costs.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this grant, you must:

successfully apply to and enroll in the first, second or third year of an eligible program
be an Ontario resident
be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person
commit to working in the same region where you studied after you graduate
not be receiving funding from any of the following government programs:

Apply
The academic year for OSAP and the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant runs from August 1 to July 31 of the following year.
Students starting in the 2025–2026 academic year
You must register for an OSAP account if the 2025–2026 academic year is your first time applying for OSAP or the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant.
Register for an OSAP account
You can apply up to 60 days before the end of your study period if you are enrolled in an eligible program at an approved institution.
Students enrolled in previous academic years
Students who started their studies in 2023–2024 or 2024–2025 are eligible for the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant in subsequent years.
Note: If you received funding in your first year or second year, you must apply for the grant each following year to continue receiving it. If you do not apply for the grant in subsequent years, you must confirm your enrolment in an eligible program to prevent your grant from being converted to a repayable loan. To do this you should complete the form Continuation of Status for the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant.
Log in to your OSAP account with your existing credentials to apply for additional funding for the 2025–2026 academic year.
Log in with existing OSAP credentials
Note: Applications for the 2024–2025 academic year are open until July 31, 2025.
See eligible regions and programs for previous academic years.

Access to your online application and site maintenance:

Scheduled maintenance to the grant application site is usually on Sunday mornings. If the application is unavailable on a Sunday morning, please try again later.

Paper applications

You can download a paper application form for academic year 2024–2025.

Send or take a completed paper application to your school’s financial aid office instead of applying online.

Paper applications for the academic year 2025–2026 will be available Summer 2025.

Check your application status

If you apply online, you can check the status of your application as soon as you submit it.

You’ll find out:

if your application has been processed
if you have to provide any documents
if you or your school have to provide any information
how much money you’ll receive
when your money will be available

Ontario Student Loans

Ontario Student Assistant Program-Loan Publicly Funded- Money You Pay Back

-OSAP News ;

Children’s Aid Foundation

Access financial support for your educational journey through Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada

Apply for a Scholarship

The 2025-26 application is now closed and will reopen for the 2026-27 school year in December 2025.

Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada post-secondary scholarships award young people $5000 for each academic year of study until they finish their program (to a maximum of 7 years from their program start) through a once yearly competitive application.

To be eligible to apply for a scholarship, you need to be:

Not currently receiving a CAFC Scholarship*
Have been or will be in either temporary or permanent care of the Ministry or Department responsible for child protection services up until your age of majority birthday or have been in permanent care of the Ministry or Department responsible for child protection services for at least 12 months. More Details.
Be attending a post-secondary institution full-time or on a reduced schedule with academic accommodation, for a full school year starting in September 2025 or January 2026
Under the age of 30 if you have or are currently receiving CAFC supports
Over the age of 30 and have not received a CAFC Scholarship before

*If you are a current CAFC Scholarship ($5000) recipient, you do not need to make an application.

Not sure if you are currently receiving a scholarship or a bursary? Questions about eligibility, the online application form, or the documents needed? Ask us! grants@cafdn.org.

Connect with our team

Amanda Ball
Program Manager
(416) 923-0924, ext. 226
aball@cafdn.org

Congress of Aboriginal Peoples

The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples represents the interests of Métis, status and Non-status Indians, and Southern Inuit Indigenous People living off-reserve in Canada. CAP is one of five National Indigenous Representative Organizations recognized by the Government of Canada.

-Congress of Aboriginal Peoples: – Website

The Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program is designed to help Indigenous people improve their skills and find employment.

The ISET Program provides funding to Indigenous service delivery organizations that design and deliver job training services to First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban/non affiliated Indigenous people in their communities. Indigenous service delivery organizations can be found across Canada.

–Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy Client Application

Funding for Non-Status

Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET)

Funding and Assistance for Skills Training

The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) provides funding and assistance for training and skills development to non-Status Indians (First Nations), Métis, and Southern Inuit, living off reserve in Canada.

Background

The ISET program is designed to help Aboriginal Peoples prepare for, and find quality high-demand jobs and careers. The program is funded through Employment and Social Development Canada’s ISET program. The CAP ISET program targets Aboriginal Peoples living in urban, rural and remote areas throughout Canada and focuses on non-Status Indigenous peoples, Métis, and Southern Inuit, living off reserve in Canada. Priority is given to Aboriginal youth, single parents, persons with disabilities, women, and mature workers experiencing career change or transition.

How to Apply

To apply for skills and employment training funding, complete the Client Application. For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact the ISET National Training Coordinator, Fineen Davis, at: applications@abo-peoples.org

What we Provide

1) Employment counseling

2) Skills trainings funding

3) Training supports

4) Job search assistance

1) Employment counseling includes career assessments, career planning, choosing a training institution/college etc. 2) Skills trainings funding includes tuition for college or accredited skills training certificates and diplomas. 3) Training supports can provide tutoring, books, training supplies, training equipment, and referrals to other supports. 4) Job search includes assistance preparing resumes, searching for a job, and preparing for job interviews.

Individuals in their final year of university can be funded for tuition and books. The CAP ISET may also fund wage subsidies after skills training for those who require job experience to gain employment. In cases of financial hardship, the CAP ISET may also provide a living allowance. Individuals who wish to enter the labor market via self-employment may also be assisted (i.e., skills training to operate a home business, business planning etc.). Employed persons stuck in low-skill/low-paying jobs, part-time jobs, or facing a future loss of employment can be assisted.

Please note that applications can take up to 6 weeks to review and be approved, so it is recommended to apply to ISET within enough time before your training begins.

Skills Training Projects

The CAP ISET program funds organizations and institutions for skills training projects across Canada. A call for proposals is typically issued in January for projects that begin activity as of April.

Priority will be given to projects that:

Provides skills training those results in provincially-accredited or industry-recognized certification
Provides skills training that leads to employment for participants
Targets Métis, status and Non-status Indians, and Southern Inuit Indigenous People living off-reserve in Canada.
Includes a focus on priority vulnerable groups (i.e., single parents, youth at risk, clients with multiple barriers, etc.)
Addresses identified or forecasted labor market shortages
Includes partnerships and/or in-kind contributions

For more information on skills training projects, please contact Sarah Mitchell.

s.mitchell@abo-peoples.org

Contact North I Contact Nord Online Learning Centre

Opened in Pembroke, On. April 13 / 2023

Contact North | Contact Nord

Contact North | Contact Nord increases the number of underserved Ontario residents who take online programs and courses from Ontario’s colleges, universities, Indigenous institutes, and other providers while remaining in their community. We recruit and provide free support services to students in 1,500+ rural and remote communities, in person at locations across the province, or by phone, email, live chat or virtually. Our services are available in English and French.

Click on the Link to view the Website: https://contactnorth.ca/

Contact Us

Alternative Contact Information

1-613-704-3392

pembroke@contactnorth.ca

Head Office

P.O. Box 10249
Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 6T7
Tel: 807-344-1616
Toll-free: 1-877-999-9149

Website: https://contactnorth.ca/

Bored at home? In need of a little bit of challenge? Why don’t you get your degree, diploma or certificate, or upgrade your skills online without leaving your community with Contact North?

Enroll in one of more than 2,600 online programs and 42,000 online courses from Ontario’s 24 public colleges, 23 public universities, 9 Aboriginal institutes, 76 district school boards, 200 literacy and basic skills training providers and 20 skills development training providers, without leaving your community.

Are you interested in :

Learning about budgeting or the basics of credit, loans, and interest ? If the answer is yes, the Banking and Everyday Math course could be for you!

Learning what soft skills are, and why employers are looking for employees who have them ? If the answer is yes, the Soft Skills for Work course might be for you!

Learning the basics when using the Internet and email ? If the answer is yes, the Introduction to Internet and email course might be for you!

You want to study online but don’t have the equipment you need? Contact North can help with a free loaner laptop and internet for remote and distance learning courses, web-based courses, and training! Equipment is shipped within five business days of approval and free technical support is available to get you started right away!

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The Edge Factor Platform

They equip K-12 and postsecondary schools, businesses, workforce development organizations, and families with e-learning tools to showcase industries and careers, teach soft skills, show how STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) comes alive in the real world, and highlight local training and career opportunities.
See link below for more information

https://www.edgefactor.com/renfrewlanarkON