Funder: Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) 

YESS Program Criteria – 2024  Onwards 

 

• Youth Employment Skills Strategy (YESS) program is pre-employment training for Inuit youth ages 15 – 30. 

• Reside in Ottawa as sessions are in person and employment partnerships in Ottawa.  

• Be at risk of disengagement with school, disengaged with school, entirely disengaged with school or completed school and unable to secure employment. 

• If out of school for the summer and unemployed, can attend YESS. 

• Participants must possess their Social Insurance Number to be paid and a bank account. Photo identification is another requirement. If you are in the process of obtaining identification and have a worker to assist, we can complete the intake.   

• There is 2 weeks of Employment Skills Training (EST) and 2 weeks of Employment Training at 3 sessions per week at 20 hours per week paid for at minimum wage ($17.20).  

• There are 1 hour Career Counseling sessions with YESS Coordinator with participants once every week throughout the program training sessions for the 20 hours weekly. 

• Financial bonus is provided upon completion of each portion of YESS program. Those would be Employment Skills Training, Employment Skills and Quality Employment Opportunity. 

• Certifications are provided based on employment interest and choice ie: Smart Serve, Working from Heights, WHMIS, First Aid, Safe Food Handling, Smart Serve, etc.  

• Work attire is purchased based on the type of employment (work clothing, work boots, outdoor wear, hygiene products, etc.) 

• Certificate of completion is provided upon full completion of YESS program. If considering a return to school, credits for attending YESS would be recognized (PLAR). 

• Morning snacks, beverages and lunch is provided. 

• Bus tickets provided. 

​

 

       Workshop Workflow is as follows: 

 

• Introductions, program PowerPoint, expectations of program and Skillshare from Inuit culture perspective 

• Standard First Aid/CPR Level C 

• Problem Solving & Collaboration/Teamwork/ Communication 

• Financial Budgeting 

• Employment Income 

• Health & Safety & Employment Standards 

• White Hatter – Leveraging and understanding social media 

• Cultural Competency in the urban work environment – Successful Inuit discuss their individual experience 

• Time Management 

• Job Search Skills and QEO prep 

• Resume & Cover Letters 

• Leadership 

• Interview Skills/Techniques 

• Computer Skills 

• Customer Service 

• Wellness Workshop 

• Healthy Wokplace Culture 

• Job Fairs 

​

 

       Throughout the YESS program participant supports are as follows: 

 

• Mentorship 

• Coaching 

• Assessment of goals and needs throughout the project and follow up a year after completion of the YESS project. 

• Case Management 

• Disability Supports such as assistive devices or technology which will become property of the participant upon completion of YESS program. 

• Health and Social supports 

• Culturally appropriate  

• Support for Transportation 

• Food security/food provided during YESS workshop sessions 

​