What is the Construction Transition Program?
The Construction Transition Program is a four-credit Coop program that provides a unique opportunity for students to explore a career in the construction industry. Construction Transition students will be well prepared for employment in the construction and other related industries immediately after leaving secondary school. The Construction Transition program also provides students with:
- The opportunity to complete secondary school diploma requirements
- Industry standard safety training
- Minimum entry-level requirements of a specific industry
- Employability and industry-specific skills
- Experience in the workplace
Students will receive approximately three weeks of in school safety training prior to beginning a four month, all day coop assignment in a construction related work placement.
Students from across Halton may apply, will be interviewed and 20 are selected to be part of the Construction Transition program.
Why get involved?
Construction Transition Coop student's can:
- Explore potentially lucrative careers in the construction industry (such as carpentry, electrical, plumbing, dry walling, masonry, and design/architecture).
- Gain skills and experience that will be valuable to any post secondary destination including: apprenticeship, college, university, or the workplace.
- Develop communication skills, teamwork skills, decision-making skills and self-confidence
- Make contact with future employers
- Work with the latest technology
- Complete Industry standard safety training (including: Construction Safety Association of Ontario- “Basic”, Fall Protection and Fall Arrest, and Construction WHIMIS).
Interesting Statistics about the Construction Industry in the Hamilton/Halton Region (2005):
Information courtesy of the Hamilton-Halton Home Builders Association (HHHBA)
hhhba.ca
- In 2004, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation records that there were 5541 housing starts in Halton
- Of this total, 24% of this growth was recorded in Milton (1350 starts) and 14% in Halton Hills (784 starts) for a sub-aggregate total of 2134 or almost 39% of all housing starts in Halton
- This construction activity translates to almost one billion dollars in total building permits
- The construction sector in the Hamilton-Halton areas is one of the largest employers in the region with over 17,700 jobs
- Currently the average weekly wage in Ontario’s construction sector is $857.45 as compared to $826.57 for all industries in Ontario
- Construction Trades in Most Demand in Ontario
- Brick & Stone Masons (current average age is 55 years old)
- Dry Wallers
- Roofers
- Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technicians
- Plumbers
- Electricians
- Cement Finishers
- Framers
- Construction Craft Workers
What skills will I develop while in the Construction Transition program?
- Employability Skills
- Construction Trade Skills
- Leadership Skills and Team Work Skills
- Build Self-Confidence
What credits will I earn?
- Students will earn 4 credits during the semester:
- 4 Co-op Credits
What can I do to prepare?
- Take as many compulsory courses as possible so that you can leave semester 2 available for the Construction Transition Program in your Grade 11, 12 or postgraduate year.
- Take math each year through to the end of Grade 12.
- Take as many Construction Technology classes as you can prior to the Construction Transition Program.
- Keep absenteeism and “lates” in your current semester or year at a minimum as student attendance is but one criteria that is considered when selecting students for the program
- Strong references from your teachers and employers are important criteria for admission to the Construction Transition Program.
When should I apply for the Construction Transition Program?
It is recommended that students apply in Grade 11 for participation in their Grade 12, or apply in Grade 12 for participation in their post-graduate year. Students must be a minimum of 16 years of age to participate in this program.
How do I apply for the Construction Transition Program?
Get a Construction Transition application from your school guidance office.
Complete the application and book an interview through your school guidance office.
How can I get more information?
Visit your School Guidance Counsellor. Your Guidance Counsellor will provide information about:
- Attend the career fairs and assemblies at your home schools.
- Bring your parents to the Parent-Student School to Career Information Evenings.
Program Planning
- Requires a full semester in Grade 11 or 12 or postgraduate.
- Program runs in semester two of each academic year.
- Students earn 4 Co-op Credits
What do I select on my option sheet?
See your School Guidance Counsellor.
School to Career Program Contact Information:
See your School to Career Guidance Counsellor.
Process:
The OYAP process consists of 4 main stages 1. The information gathering and awareness stage 2. The program contact stage (log onto www.onsorts.ca and choose up to 2 courses that you may be interested in.) 3. The interview preparation stage 4. The interview
To learn more about the process or to start the process you can download the following documents. These documents designed to help you through the process of being accepted into a Concentrated OYAP Program.
Downloads:
You may also pick up a complete package from the School to Career Guidance contact at your present school to book a visit or interview.
For the name of the School to Career Contact at your school go to our Contact Us page.
To apply or find out more about an OYAP school to career program, click here