Explore
Try supervised projects, courses, workplace tours or conversations connected to Child and Youth Worker.
← Child and Youth Worker overview
04 · HOW · HELP PATH
How do I enter Child and Youth Worker?
Explore the Ontario route, school preparation, workplace learning and certification before deciding on your next step.
7200general program total
6,240workplace training
960in-school training
four yearsgeneral time frame
THE PATHWAY
From first look to qualified practice
Prepare
Build the relevant mathematics, science, communication, technology, safety and hands-on foundations.
Find a sponsor
A sponsor may be an employer, union or group responsible for providing and documenting workplace training.
Register
Apply through Ontario’s apprenticeship system and register a Training Agreement with the sponsor.
Train
Develop workplace competence under supervision and complete the required in-school or technical learning.
Demonstrate competence
Complete the documented competencies and the certificate route currently available for the trade.
Advance
Develop deeper skill in specializations, leadership, training, estimating, management or business ownership where appropriate.
START WHILE IN SCHOOL
Turn exploration into experience
Ask your guidance counsellor about:
- Relevant technological education and hands-on courses
- Co-operative education placements
- Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program where available
- Specialist High Skills Major and dual credits
- Employer visits and Trade Tracks events
IN-SCHOOL LEARNING
What the Ontario curriculum may cover
developmental issues in childhood and adolescencechildhood disorderscounselling and communication skillsprinciples of human behaviourresidential treatmentgroup interaction and skillspsychopathology in childhood, adolescence and early adulthoodclinical recording and presentation skillsfamily dysfunction and multi-modal therapiesprevention and management of aggressive behaviourchild abusecrisis intervention
CERTIFICATION
Apprenticeship → Certificate of Apprenticeship
Child and Youth Worker has no certifying examination in the reviewed Ontario record. The Certificate of Apprenticeship is the highest available trade certificate. The trade is non-compulsory in Ontario.
COSTS & SUPPORT
Check current programs before budgeting.
Possible costs include tools, protective clothing, travel, books, classroom or exam fees and income changes during training. Supports and eligibility change; confirm them before relying on a program.
Check Ontario financial supports ↗EVIDENCE BASE
Sources & verification
Regulated, numerical and time-sensitive claims link to the authority used. Accessed and reviewed August 25, 2026.
Skilled Trades Ontario — Child and Youth Worker ↗Official scope, duties, training and certificationGovernment of Canada Job Bank — Ontario wages ↗Ontario low, median and high employee wage benchmarkSkilled Trades Ontario — Start an apprenticeship ↗Eligibility, sponsors and registrationOntario — OYAP ↗High-school apprenticeship pathway
Review the claim-by-claim evidence record.