Effective September 1, 2021, partial benefits will no longer be granted for partial completion of the Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship (SYA) program.

Previously, if a student completed only one or two levels of SYA, they were eligible to receive 100 or 200 hours of trade time respectively when applying for apprenticeship. As of September 1, 2021, these partial benefits will no longer be granted. Only students who complete the whole program will be eligible for benefits. This change has been made to encourage students to fully complete the program.

The purpose of the SYA program is to raise awareness of apprenticeship in Saskatchewan schools by helping young people discover what rewards come with working in the skilled trades.

The SYA program is well-established throughout Saskatchewan high schools and educational institutions, and students typically complete the SYA program over three years from Grades 10 to 12. (It is also possible for students to complete in less than three years if they start the program later than Grade 10.)

High school students who complete the SYA program are eligible for many benefits. When registering as an apprentice in Saskatchewan in a designated trade within five years of their SYA completion date, they receive:

• Waiver of apprenticeship registration fee
• Waiver of first level of technical training tuition
• 300 hours of trade time credit

Adult learners who complete SYA as non-high school students are eligible to receive trade time hours only. Only high school students are eligible for the additional financial benefits. These are the same benefits SYA participants have always been entitled to following full completion of the program.

For questions about this change, please contact the SYA Coordinator at [email protected] or 306-787-2368.