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. 

• The youth then go into a 6 weeks Quality Employment Opportunity (QEO) up to 30 hours which is paid for by the employer. QEO preparation transpires in advance of QEO. QEO can be longer based on employer and participant. 

• 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. 

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       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 

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       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 

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