Backgrounder: ESDC Youth employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) funding

ESDC Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) funding

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 Canadians with autism spectrum disorder across the country develop the skills and get the opportunities they need to transition into the workforce.

Organization: NorQuest College
Title: Autism CanTech!
Description: NorQuest College and its Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia partners will be providing training, mentorship and assistive technology to 250 employers so that they can better recognize and leverage the skills of autistic youth. RoboCoach assistive technology will address the major barriers to employment of youth with autism spectrum disorder and will offer them improved quality of life and well-being and increased independence.
Region: National
Funding Amount: $7,799,873

Organization: Autism Calgary Association
Title: Spectrum Advantage
Description: Eighty-five youth with multiple barriers to employment and/or disabilities will benefit from this project by developing the skills, knowledge and experience necessary to make a successful transition to the labour market. The community will benefit, as a group of youth with barriers will gain valuable experience and skills training to help contribute to the workforce and/or decide to return to school.
Region: Western
Funding Amount: $1,107,271

Organization: Canucks Autism Network Society
Title: My First Job
Description: Canucks Autism Network Society will provide customized support to 64 participants. A multitude of interventions, activities and supports will address each participant’s individual needs. During the six-week quality employment opportunity intervention, participants will be paid a wage based on the prevailing wage of the position. Experience will be provided in the food and beverage, hospitality, customer service, and retail sectors.
Region: Western
Funding Amount: $1,232,035