Backgrounder: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy funding

The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) is a Government of Canada program 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 Indigenous youth across the country develop the skills and get the opportunities they need to transition into the workforce.

Atlantic

1. Organization: Cape Breton Partnership
Title: Essential Business Skills Development for Indigenous Youth
Region: Nova Scotia (Sydney)
Funding dates: June 8, 2020, to May 12, 2023
Funding amount: $825,532
Target number of participants: 50

2. Organization: Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency
Title: Emergency Services Achievement Program
Region: Nova Scotia (Halifax)
Funding dates: August 4, 2020, to November 18, 2022
Funding amount: $349,489
Target number of participants: 34

3. Organization: MetroWorks Employment Association
Title: Youth Wellness and Employability project
Region: Nova Scotia (Halifax)
Funding dates: August 10, 2020, to March 31, 2022
Funding amount: $641,431
Target number of participants: 40

4. Organization: Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre
Title: Urban Indigenous Youth Cultural Journey
Region: Nova Scotia (Halifax)
Funding dates: April 20, 2020, to March 31, 2023
Funding amount: $1,242,824
Target number of participants: 90

5. Organization: Native Council of Nova Scotia
Title: Helping Youth Prepare for Employment
Region: Nova Scotia (Truro)
Funding dates: June 29, 2020, to May 26, 2023
Funding amount: $1,064,350
Target number of participants: 72

6. Organization: No’kmaq Village
Title: Guiding Our Nation Employment & Skills Program
Region: Newfoundland and Labrador (Flat Bay)
Funding dates: April 13, 2020, to April 7, 2023
Funding amount: $633,000
Target number of participants: 50

7. Organization: Nova Scotia Community College
Title: The Future Is Youth: Maximizing Pathways to Post-Secondary Education, Skill Development and Employment
Region: Nova Scotia (Halifax)
Funding dates: September 21, 2020, to March 29, 2024
Funding amount: $1,020,000
Target number of participants: 21

8. Organization: NunatuKavut Community Council
Title: Youth Pathways to Resiliency, Skills and Success
Region: Newfoundland and Labrador (Happy Valley-Goose Bay)
Funding dates: September 1, 2020, to June 30, 2023
Funding amount: $696,000
Target number of participants: 60

9. Organization: R2 Ressources Humaines
Title: CONNEXION TALENT N.-B.
Region: New Brunswick (Campbellton)
Funding dates: April 20, 2020, to March 31, 2023
Funding amount: $1,433,838
Target number of participants: 72

10. Organization: Restigouche CBDC
Title: En route vers le succès/On the Way to Success
Region: New Brunswick (Campbellton)
Funding dates: April 6, 2020, to March 31, 2023
Funding amount: $1,311,975
Target number of participants: 98

11. Organization: Smallwood Crescent Community Centre Inc.
Title: Creating a Better Tomorrow
Region: Newfoundland and Labrador (Marystown)
Funding dates: September 7, 2020, to August 12, 2022
Funding amount: $422,022
Target number of participants: 33

12. Organization: Southwest Employment Services Society
Title: YESS to Success
Region: Nova Scotia (Yarmouth)
Funding dates: June 8, 2020, to December 26, 2022
Funding amount: $1,020,368
Target number of participants: 32

13. Organization: The St. John’s Native Friendship Centre
Title: Youth Employment Program
Region: Newfoundland and Labrador (St. John’s)
Funding dates: April 20, 2020, to April 14, 2023
Funding amount: $723,000
Target number of participants: 90

14. Organization: The Native Council of Prince Edward Island
Title: The Way Forward – “Awtiget Ta’nug”
Region: Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown)
Funding dates: June 1, 2020, to December 30, 2022
Funding amount: $618,490
Target number of participants: 38

15. Organization: YMCA of Cape Breton
Title: Youth Employment Initiative
Region: Nova Scotia (Sydney)
Funding dates: August 11, 2020, to June 23, 2023
Funding amount: $1,012,171
Target number of participants: 58

16. Organization: YMCA of Northeast Avalon
Title: Y GEO Guided Employment Opportunities
Region: Newfoundland and Labrador (St. John’s)
Funding dates: August 24, 2020, to March 31, 2023
Funding amount: $751,257
Target number of participants: 51

Ontario

1. Organization: 1490261 Ontario Inc.
Title: YAA
Region: Ontario (Geraldton)
Funding dates: August 31, 2020, to August 28, 2023
Funding amount: $495,817
Target number of participants: 40

2. Organization: Agilec
Title: Agilec – Career Connect for Youth
Region: Ontario (Oshawa+)
Funding dates: March 30, 2020, to March 24, 2023
Funding amount: $2,249,956
Target number of participants: 150

3. Organization: Eastern Ontario Training Board
Title: YESS: EOTB – Jobs Now Cornwall SDG Akwasasne
Region: Ontario (Cornwall)
Funding dates: August 24, 2020, to August 18, 2023
Funding amount: $1,124,997
Target number of participants: 75

4. Organization: Georgian College of Applied Arts and Technology
Title: Youth for Youth
Region: Ontario (Orangeville)
Funding dates: November 2, 2020, to October 27, 2023
Funding amount: $2,175,000
Target number of participants: 125

5. Organization: Keewaywin First Nation
Title: Nishtam Wabtabiin (First Roots) Digital Economy for Remote Community Training
Region: Ontario (Sandy Lake)
Funding dates: July 27, 2020, to March 26, 2021
Funding amount: $649,718
Target number of participants: 25

6. Organization: Niagara Peninsula Homes
Title: REACH Program
Region: Ontario (Welland)
Funding dates: July 13, 2020, to July 14, 2023
Funding amount: $1,401,855
Target number of participants: 48

7. Organization: NPAAMB Indigenous Youth Employment and Training
Title: Building Our Bundles
Region: Ontario (Ohsweken+)
Funding dates: January 4, 2021, to December 29, 2023
Funding amount: $1,425,000
Target number of participants: 135

8. Organization: Orillia Area Community Development Corp.
Title: Pathways to Employment
Region: Ontario (Orillia+)
Funding dates: March 30, 2020, to March 31, 2023
Funding amount: $1,200,000
Target number of participants: 75

9. Organization: Prince Edward Learning Centre
Title: PELC Inspire Phase II
Region: Ontario (Picton)
Funding dates: March 30, 2020, to March 24, 2023
Funding amount: $899,946
Target number of participants: 60

10. Organization: Sault Ste. Marie YMCA
Title: Bridging Youth to Employment
Region: Ontario (Sault Ste. Marie)
Funding dates: October 5, 2020, to November 4, 2022
Funding amount: $995,316
Target number of participants: 75

11. Organization: Victoria County Career Services (VCCS)
Title: VCCS - Youth Success Through Employment Practice
Region: Ontario (Lindsay)
Funding dates: June 29, 2020, to June 23, 2023
Funding amount: $1,921,631
Target number of participants: 84

12. Organization: YMCA of Northeastern Ontario
Title: Shaping Careers for Youth through Learning and Development
Region: Ontario (Sudbury)
Funding dates: September 28, 2020, to September 22, 2023
Funding amount: $996,614
Target number of participants: 80

13. Organization: Youth Employment Assistance Headquarters Inc.
Title: YEAH: We Are the Change
Region: Ontario (Brockville, Prescott)
Funding dates: August 24, 2020, to July 1, 2022
Funding amount: $900,000
Target number of participants: 30

Western Territories

1. Organization: 5th on 5th Youth Services
Title: Youth Employment Services – Lethbridge
Region: Alberta (Lethbridge)
Funding dates: October 5, 2020, to September 29, 2023
Funding amount: $2,992,650
Target number of participants: 215

2. Organization: 8231800 Canada Inc.
Title: Building Youth and Youth Ally Capacity for Strengthened Employability in Nunavut
Region: Nunavut (Iqaluit)
Funding dates: June 1, 2020, to March 31, 2023
Funding amount: $1,493,730
Target number of participants: 75

3. Organization: Assiniboine Community College
Title: Parkland Youth Transition
Region: Manitoba (Brandon)
Funding dates: August 31, 2020, to August 26, 2022
Funding amount: $899,562
Target number of participants: 80

4. Organization: Beacon Community Services
Title: Jumpstart Employment Training & Skills
Region: British Columbia (Victoria)
Funding dates: October 5, 2020, to September 30, 2022
Funding amount: $884,687
Target number of participants: 110

5. Organization: Bow Valley College
Title: Youth Skills Connection
Region: Alberta (Calgary)
Funding dates: June 1, 2020, to May 31, 2023
Funding amount: $1,997,145
Target number of participants: 104

6. Organization: C.E.Y.S. Brandon Inc.
Title: Career & Employment Youth Services
Region: Manitoba (Brandon)
Funding dates: January 4, 2021, to January 5, 2024
Funding amount: $1,374,987
Target number of participants: 205

7. Organization: Community Futures Treaty Seven
Title: T7 Regional Skills Link Project
Region: Alberta (Tsuut’ina)
Funding dates: March 28, 2020, to March 25, 2023
Funding amount: $4,313,224
Target number of participants: 168

8. Organization: Cowichan Valley Youth Services Society
Title: Youth Employment Mentorship Program
Region: British Columbia (Duncan)
Funding dates: July 13, 2020, to July 8, 2023
Funding amount: $1,013,438
Target number of participants: 78

9. Organization: Edmonton City Centre Church Corporation (E4C)
Title: The Hallway Cafe Program
Region: Alberta (Edmonton) 
Funding dates: August 3, 2020, to July 28, 2023
Funding amount: $2,100,000
Target number of participants: 90

10. Organization: Flagstaff Family & Community
Title: Flagstaff Youth Initiative
Region: Alberta (Killam)
Funding dates: December 14, 2020, to November 18, 2022
Funding amount: $947,441
Target number of participants: 30

11. Organization: Insightful Training Solutions
Title: Assisting Youth with Employability Skills and Work Experience
Region: British Columbia (Kamloops)
Funding dates: July 13, 2020, to July 7, 2023
Funding amount: $1,587,456
Target number of participants: 117

12. Organization: Kikinahk Friendship Centre Inc.
Title: La Ronge Youth Employment Program
Region: Saskatchewan (La Ronge)
Funding dates: September 1, 2020, to August 31, 2023
Funding amount: $872,793
Target number of participants: 22

13. Organization: Kootenay Career Development Society
Title: Fast Forward
Region: British Columbia (Nelson)
Funding dates: August 24, 2020, to July 7, 2023
Funding amount: $1,400,841
Target number of participants: 112

14. Organization: Kootenay Employment Services Society
Title: Ignite
Region: British Columbia (Creston)
Funding dates: October 26, 2020, to October 20, 2023
Funding amount: $1,320,600
Target number of participants: 100

15. Organization: Kopar Administration Ltd.
Title: YES-AB
Region: Alberta (Hinton, Edson)
Funding dates: July 6, 2020, to June 23, 2023
Funding amount: $2,699,997
Target number of participants: 165

16. Organization: Lakeshore School Division
Title: Lakeshore Education Growth Opportunities
Region: Manitoba (Eriksdale)
Funding dates: October 13, 2020, to April 7, 2023
Funding amount: $684,547
Target number of participants: 48

17. Organization: Macdonald Youth Services
Title: MYS Youth Employment Readiness Project
Region: Manitoba (Winnipeg)
Funding dates: November 2, 2020, to September 16, 2023
Funding amount: $1,100,000
Target number of participants: 64

18. Organization: MCG Careers Inc.
Title: ReBrand
Region: Alberta (Edmonton+)
Funding dates: August 4, 2020, to July 28, 2023
Funding amount: $3,500,000
Target number of participants: 220

19. Organization: Mine Training Society
Title: Beginning to End (B2E)
Region: Northwest Territories (Yellowknife+)
Funding dates: November 2, 2020, to March 31, 2023
Funding amount: $1,475,947
Target number of participants: 102

20. Organization: Nanaimo Foodshare Society
Title: Homegrown Employment Skills Program
Region: British Columbia (Nanaimo)
Funding dates: May 19, 2020, to March 31, 2023
Funding amount: $758,037
Target number of participants: 68

21. Organization: North Central Family Centre Inc.
Title: NCFC Building Blocks to Employment Program
Region: Saskatchewan (Regina)
Funding dates: July 2, 2020, to October 29, 2021
Funding amount: $455,368
Target number of participants: 40

22. Organization: NorWest Co-op Community Health, Inc.
Title: NorWest Youth Hub: Supports for Success
Region: Manitoba (Winnipeg)
Funding dates: November 2, 2020, to October 27, 2023
Funding amount: $1,099,998
Target number of participants: 80

23. Organization: Parkland College
Title: Employability Skills Training, Development and Maintenance
Region: Saskatchewan (Melville)
Funding dates: September 1, 2020, to March 31, 2023
Funding amount: $689,812
Target number of participants: 72

24. Organization: Portage Learning and Literacy Centre
Title: Portage Work Experience Program
Region: Manitoba (Portage la Prairie)
Funding dates: May 11, 2020, to May 5, 2023
Funding amount: $899,997
Target number of participants: 75

25. Organization: Radius Community Centre
Title: YXE Works
Region: Saskatchewan (Saskatoon)
Funding dates: July 6, 2020, to February 24, 2023
Funding amount: $1,316,161
Target number of participants: 96

26. Organization: Red Fox Healthy Living Society
Title: Seed Generation Youth Employment Program
Region: British Columbia (Victoria, Surrey)
Funding dates: May 11, 2020, to April 7, 2023
Funding amount: $1,749,433
Target number of participants: 70

27. Organization: Regina Work Prep
Title: Youth on their Way to Work
Region: Saskatchewan (Regina)
Funding dates: May 18, 2020, to March 31, 2023
Funding amount: $2,640,000
Target number of participants: 150

28. Organization: Resource Assistance for Youth
Title: Level Up! Employment and Training Program
Region: Manitoba (Winnipeg)
Funding dates: July 1, 2020, to March 31, 2023
Funding amount: $2,400,000
Target number of participants: 105

29. Organization: RIEL Institute for Education and Learning
Title: Indigenous Youth Connections
Region: Alberta (Calgary)
Funding dates: June 1, 2020, to January 27, 2023
Funding amount: $1,585,215
Target number of participants: 90

30. Organization: S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
Title: Chance to Choose: A Youth Employment Program
Region: British Columbia (Vancouver)
Funding dates: September 28, 2020, to April 30, 2023
Funding amount: $2,811,270
Target number of participants: 232

31. Organization: Saskatchewan Abilities Council Inc.
Title: Choices Youth
Region: Saskatchewan (Saskatoon)
Funding dates: April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2023
Funding amount: $978,789
Target number of participants: 75

32. Organization: Saskatchewan Intercultural Association
Title: Learning Interculturalism Through Employment Program
Region: Saskatchewan (Saskatoon)
Funding dates: April 6, 2020, to April 5, 2023
Funding amount: $1,196,772
Target number of participants: 80

33. Organization: Segue Career Options
Title: Wellness U30
Region: Manitoba (Winkler)
Funding dates: September 7, 2020, to March 31, 2023
Funding amount: $1,200,000
Target number of participants: 300

34. Organization: Shawenim Abinoojii Inc.
Title: Mikwanokii (Ojibwe for “s/he finds work, finds a job”)
Region: Manitoba (Winnipeg)
Funding dates: September 1, 2020, to June 30, 2022
Funding amount: $139,685
Target number of participants: 70

35. Organization: Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre
Title: Youth Overcoming Barriers to Education & Employment
Region: Northwest Territories (Hay River)
Funding dates: Jan 4, 2021, to December 29, 2023
Funding amount: $1,500,000
Target number of participants: 60

36. Organization: Town of Churchill
Title: YESS Churchill – Training Tomorrow’s Workforce
Region: Manitoba (Churchill)
Funding dates: August 24, 2020, to August 20, 2021
Funding amount: $494,741
Target number of participants: 12

37. Organization: Triangle Community Resources Inc.
Title: Futures for Youth
Region: British Columbia (Abbotsford+)
Funding dates: August 4, 2020, to July 31, 2023
Funding amount: $1,814,240
Target number of participants: 180

38. Organization: Tribal Resources Investment Corporation
Title: Youth EAS Strategy
Region: British Columbia (Prince Rupert)
Funding dates: April 13, 2020, to March 18, 2023
Funding amount: $1,191,739
Target number of participants: 96

39. Organization: Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth
Title: URBAN MAMMOTH: Indigenous Youth Employment Project
Region: Alberta (Calgary)
Funding dates: August 1, 2020, to July 31, 2023
Funding amount: $3,738,415
Target number of participants: 400

40. Organization: WorkLink
Title: START Youth Employment Program
Region: British Columbia (Victoria)
Funding dates: April 6, 2020, to March 31, 2023
Funding amount: $1,200,000
Target number of participants: 100

41. Organization: YOUCAN
Title: The Verto Project
Region: Alberta (Edmonton)
Funding dates: July 30, 2020, to July 7, 2023
Funding amount: $1,949,889
Target number of participants: 165

42. Organization: Youth Empowerment & Support Services
Title: YESS Education and Employment Program
Region: Alberta (Edmonton) 
Funding dates: October 5, 2020, to March 31, 2023
Funding amount: $2,109,637
Target number of participants: 160

National

1. Organization: Indigenous Professional Association of Canada
Title: Pathways to Success
Region: Alberta/Manitoba/Ontario (Toronto)
Funding dates: August 1, 2020, to September 30, 2023
Funding amount: $1,850,000
Target number of participants: 500

2. Organization: CBI Consultants Ltd.
Title: CBI L.E.A.P. (Learning, Employment, Action Program)
Region: British Columbia (Burnaby), Ontario, Alberta
Funding dates: September 14, 2020, to September 13, 2023
Funding amount: $2,999,974
Target number of participants: 100

3. Organization: Centre d’Innovation des Premiers Peuples
Title: Fablabs autochtones: A la conquête du numérique
Region: Quebec (Gatineau)
Funding dates: June 19, 2020, to May 31, 2023
Funding amount: $3,800,000
Target number of participants: 192

4. Organization: Focus Forward for Indigenous Youth
Title: Enhancing Capacity of Indigenous Youth
Region: Ontario (Kingston)
Funding dates: September 1, 2020, to March 31, 2023
Funding amount: $998,770
Target number of participants: 36

5. Organization: Inspire Nunavut Inc.
Title: Inspire Arctic Accelerator
Region: Ontario, Nunavut
Funding dates: October 9, 2020, to October 6, 2023
Funding amount: $4,748,576
Target number of participants: 195

6. Organization: Le Projet N’we Jinan
Title: ArtWorks: Exploring Creative Pathways with Indigenous Youth
Region: Quebec (Montréal), British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan
Funding dates: August 3, 2020, to July 31, 2023
Funding amount: $5,000,000
Target number of participants: 165

7. Organization: National Association of Friendship Centres
Title: Decent Work for Urban Indigenous Youth
Region: Ontario (Ottawa)
Funding dates: June 29, 2020, to October 31, 2021
Funding amount: $810,000
Target number of participants: 75