Are you an employer that sees the value in providing learning opportunities for youth just beginning their working careers?

Are you finding it difficult to recruit employees to your place of business?

Well look no further! There's a great opportunity available to help your business grow while providing a great opportunity for a youth.

It's called Youth Are Working and we’re looking for businesses and community based agencies to assist us in our mandate to prepare youth aged 17-24 for the world of work.

What is Youth Are Working?

The Youth Are Working program seeks to enhance the lives of youth by providing exposure to life and employment related skills, practical work experience, and continuous learning opportunities.

Using a very individualized approach to personal and career development, program staff assist youth in developing their employment portfolio with the goal of preparing them for the realities of the workplace and the expectations of today's employers.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Using the Conference Board of Canada's Employability Skills Profile, youth develop fundamental, personal management, and teamwork skills through a variety of interactive exercises. These activities highlight the true expectations employers have for employees and prepare youth for these workplace realities.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS

Career Cruising Portfolio
WayPoints

First Aid/CPR
St. John Ambulance

Occupational Health and Safety Representative Training
NL Employer's Council
Adaptive and Creative Thinking (ACT)
John Howard Society

Super Host Customer Service Training
Hospitality NL

Introduction to Computers
Granite Studios

Flag Person/ Traffic Control
NL Safety Council

PRACTICAL ON THE JOB EXPERIENCE

Training and workshops are a great tool for preparing youth for the world of work. However, without the true work experience, youth will not be able to practice the skills they have learned or get a chance to truly understand employer's expectations. This is where Youth Are Working's business partners are so important. We rely on attracting employers who understand our program, who understand the needs of today's youth, and who are willing to work with us to make the work experience a true learning opportunity.

Youth are placed with a community agency or a private business which matches some of their skills and interests. Community based agencies are fully subsidized for the costs of the job placement.  Private businesses receive a negotiated wage subsidy as an incentive for providing workplace opportunities. Employers are expected to provide a minimum of 32 hours per week of employment time and this placement can last up to 28 weeks.

Placements are monitored regularly and youth are given feedback on their progress with the goal of coming to understand the realities of work and the expectations of employers.

I'M INTERESTED... WHAT DO I DO NOW?

If you feel your agency or business can benefit and also provide an opportunity for a youth in our program, simply contact Hugo McCarthy, the Program Manager. He will be happy to meet with you to discuss the possibility of a rewarding partnership.