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Education/training

Pipe dreams work for this OYAP student

Every June, countless students graduate from high school. Craig Hylton, of Nelson A. Boylen Collegiate, will be among the graduates, and like many of his classmates, he will attend college in the fall.

AUNIE EDWARDS

[ 2002-05-15 ]

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OYAP student Craig Hylton (left), who is pursuing a practical education in plumbing, receives hands-on training at his placement at Bathurst Plumbing from general manager Steve Kerr.

But with 330 hours of a plumbing apprenticeship already completed and a provincial package that will fund his education, Hylton's first day at Sheridan College will not be typical.

Hylton is a co-op student and, as a registered member of the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), his co-op placement hours will be applied to his college apprenticeship and his post-secondary education will be fully financed.

"OYAP is a great program -- if any of my students show an interest in an apprenticeable trade, I automatically encourage them to register. For many of these students, it's an opportunity like no other," says Linda Herriott, co-op educator at Nelson A. Boylen.

A co-op placement also gives a student the chance to fully appreciate their chosen field of study.

"To realize that a certain career is not actually suitable is also considered a success," Herriott says. "Some kids can't afford to go down the wrong path after high school -- these programs allow a student the time to re-think goals and re-assess strengths."

Hylton's apprenticeship began with a pre-placement course at his home school, where he learned general work skills such as health and safety on the job, conflict resolution and time management.

"We want to enhance the job experience for our kids and teach them transferable skills that will help them survive in any field," Herriott says.

After successfully completing the pre-placement course, Hylton was assigned a co-op term with Bathurst Plumbing, a job he began in March. He still goes every Monday to Nelson A. Boylen for a class related to skilled trade work.

"This is a practical education. I prepare Craig for work in a trade and his placement supervisor at Bathurst Plumbing teaches him the skill," Herriott says.

Though Hyrtle has found his niche in plumbing and has no reason to re-assess his choice, his future is not without its challenges.

"It's a tough life for a student apprentice," says Jackie Butchers, office administration at Bathurst Plumbing. "Craig works here every weekday but one: on Mondays he attends class, where he gets all his homework for the week."

Says Herriott: "We have to prepare these kids for the long hours -- they're at work everyday and there isn't time for much else."

Regardless of the hours, Hylton is very happy with the path he's chosen.

"My supervisor, Steve Kerr, lets me do a fair amount of work -- I go out on calls, both industrial and residential, with a licensed plumber and I'm learning a lot," Hylton says.

It will take Hylton between four and five years to accumulate the 9,000 apprentice hours required to write the qualification exam, but his future compensation and job security will make his present commitment worthwhile. And there is no shortage of confidence in Hylton's ability to realize his goals.

"Craig is a very good worker -- we're happy to accommodate him here," Butchers says.

Herriott concurs: "Craig is a highly motivated kid who knows he's going to do this. He's one of those students who fully appreciates the opportunity that OYAP is offering -- he makes the success of the program very easy."

Education requirements

Students must complete a minimum of three in-school credits per year.

Schools are required to monitor the program offered in the workplace to ensure it meets secondary school credit requirements.

To receive their high school diploma, students must still complete all compulsory credits.

Students must be placed with a qualified employer.

Students must follow an on-the-job training program based on the specific standards for the trade. They may also receive related theoretical instruction.