Backgrounder:  Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) 

The YESS is a Government of Canada initiative delivered in collaboration with 11 federal departments and agencies, including Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Through the YESS, the Government of Canada helps young people, particularly those facing barriers to employment, get the information and gain the skills, work experience and abilities they need to make a successful transition into the labour market. ESDC’s YESS program supports organizations that provide job placements and skills development services to young people, as well as a broad range of supports such as job coaching, mental health support, clothes for job interviews, day care services for parents and subsidized Internet access to help with job searches.

The following projects are helping young women across the country develop the skills and get the opportunities they need to transition into the workforce.

Organization: Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA)

Title: Employment Supports for Young Immigrant Mothers and Immigrant Youth
Description: The organization’s goals include empowering immigrant women, enriching Canadian society, and engaging and integrating all immigrant women and their families in the community. In all, the project is helping 72 recent immigrant mothers overcome barriers to employment and improve their employability skills to keep jobs.
Region: Western Canada
Funding Amount: $2,295,204
Target Number of Participants: 72

Organization: Girls Inc. Limestone

Title: Girls Inc. - Smart Start
Description: In line with the organization’s mandate to inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold, 140 youth with barriers will receive employment skills training and employment services activities that may include career and occupational information, career decision-making processes, job search techniques, job application processes, and résumé and cover letter preparation. The youth are placed with employers throughout the Kingston and Belleville areas for 90 days.
Region: Ontario
Funding Amount: $2,713,044
Target Number of Participants: 140

Organization: Kitchener–Waterloo Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA)

Title: In Her Shoes (Youth)
Description: The YWCA delivers employment services and skills training to assist 35 young women facing barriers, enabling them to develop their skills and employability and prepare them to obtain and keep employment. During their work experience, they practice and improve skills related to digital literacy, digital e-commerce, numeracy, inventory management, written and oral communication, marketing and promotion, merchandising and customer service skills.
Region: Ontario
Funding Amount: $720,000
Target Number of Participants: 35

Organization: Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST)

Title: Young Women in LEAD (Leadership, Education and Development)
Description: This project provides 120 youth with opportunities to develop and enhance employability and occupational skills through practical on-the-job experience and will be based on the employment goals of participants. Potential fields of employment include customer service, manufacturing, electrical, construction, information technology, social services, health care services, retail and food services.
Region: Ontario
Funding Amount: $1,648,837
Target Number of Participants: 120

Organization: West Scarborough Neighbourhood Community Centre

Title: TWIST - Targeting Women in Skills Training
Description: Pre-employment activities for 200 participants allow for additional development before advancing to a 14-week quality employment opportunity. Sessions include career and occupational information, decision-making processes, job search techniques, job application process, on the job training, résumé and cover letter preparations, mock interviews and motivational coaching. Sessions will prepare the youth to secure employment or return to school.
Region: Ontario
Funding Amount: $2,599,998
Target Number of Participants: 200

Organization: Regina Immigrant Women Centre

Title: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy to Advance Immigrant Youth (YES-STAIY)
Description: The organization’s mandate is to educate, integrate, enrich and empower immigrant and refugee women through programs and services in English language training, computer literacy, employment, conversational literacy and family support. Over 36 months, the organization will deliver activities to assist 84 visible minority youth facing barriers, giving them the opportunity to benefit from the interventions and supports, which will enable them to develop their skills and employability in order to prepare them to obtain and keep employment.
Region: Western Canada
Funding Amount: $1,289,996
Target Number of Participants: 84