Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program

What should I know about this program?

Do you imagine yourself working at a job you enjoy, earning a good salary and developing a career you love? Are you having trouble finding that great job or building a satisfying career? If you could use some help to reach your als, the ESDC Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) Program may be a program of interest to you!

The ESDC YESS Program provides funding to organizations across Canada to offer activities like:

• Employability Skills Sessions: where you can build skills like leadership, teamwork, and communication.
• Employment Services: where you learn things like how to conduct a job search, complete a job application, develop a resume and cover letter, and prepare for a job interview.
• Work Experience: where you are matched with an employer for a temporary paid job so that you can gain experience and develop skills.

Funded service providers provide a range of services and supports, and can offer assistance that is based on your particular needs. For example, some service providers offer:

• Mentorship and coaching, to help with building knowledge and skills
• Disability supports if you need them to participate in learning and work activities
• Counselling, if you need help in managing your mental health
• Assistance with living expenses to help pay for rent, transportation and mobile phone, so you can cover basic costs while you learn
• Work-appropriate clothing and uniforms, if you need them for a job
• Dependent care support
• Indigenous language training specifically for Indigenous youth

Am I eligible to apply?

You're eligible to apply if you...

1. Are between the ages of 15 and 30 at the start of the internship
2. Are legally entitled to work in Canada
3. Are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or have refugee status

Indigenous youth, racialized youth, youth living with disabilities, youth from Official Language Minority Communities, and youth from rural and remote areas may be prioritized.