The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy is a Government of Canada initiative delivered by various federal departments, agencies, and Crown corporations.
The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) is a Government of Canada initiative that delivers 16 programs, including Canada Summer Jobs
The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) is a horizontal Government of Canada initiative led by Employment and Social Development Canada
Budget 2025 announced a combined investment of more than $1.5 billion to help youth gain the skills and experience they need for successful
As the Canadian flagship of a global network committed to the success of young people across the world, The King’s Trust Canada (TKTC) has launched innovative, evidence-based programs designed to drive transformative change for youth employment and employers in this country. The youth unemployment crisis is set to cost the Canadian economy $18.5 billion in lost wages.4 of employers say youth are not “even moderately prepared to meet the needs of the emerging job market.5 Joblessness is among one of life’s top 10 most traumatic experiences, often leading to depression, loneliness, substance abuse, and homelessness.6 54% THE SOLUTION Rooted in feedback from employers, young people, and youth-serving organizations across Canada, and designed to meet the needs of youth and employers alike, our strategy is designed to close the skills gap faced by employers, support youth, and bolster Canada’s productivity and competitiveness.
Therefore, it’s worth investing in programs that help youth find jobs, said Lang. Over at YES, Lang said they have a program called the Lighthouse Project that specifically helps youth navigating mental health challenges find employment. “The good news there is the data shows that people that have mental health disability, if you do accommodate them in small ways … can be your most productive and long-term employees,” said Lang, ultimately reducing bottom-line costs. “I’m old enough to remember, sort of 30 years ago, when Canada and the world was changing with helping people with physical disabilities, like wheelchairs and accessible ramps,” said Lang. “You look at Germany, their youth unemployment rate is half of ours,” he said, noting the German education system makes a concentrated effort to reduce the stigma of jobs in the trades by funding trades programs at the high school level.
The government says it will also allocate $307.9 million over two years to a Youth Employment and Skills Strategy. The funding goes toward jobs,
The Issue What We Investigated What We’re Learning Why It Matters What’s Next Projects in this Report. Focus on early career guidance programs to introduce youth to a range of career paths, empowering them to make informed decisions with a strong emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility. Utilize technology to enhance career services by offering personalized labour market information, while also integrating in-person support to provide comprehensive and effective guidance. Advocate for a comprehensive and holistic approach that provides a wide range of supports in a coherent manner, e.g., upskilling and career guidance together with measures to address barriers like discrimination and mental health. The Future Skills Centre and Century Initiative collaborated to investigate youth employment, and highlighted how a sustained period out of employment or education can have lasting impacts on the future labour market outcomes of youth, notably by reducing their long run earnings potential and career progression.