Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) Program

The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) Program provides pre-employment skills training for Inuit youth who live in Ottawa and are disengaged from school. Participants complete 80 hours of pre-employment readiness training over four weeks. Workshops cover customer service, health and safety, employment standards, teamwork and communication, digital literacy and internet safety, problem-solving, time management, computer skills, interview preparation, résumé and cover-letter development, and general employment preparation. Participants may also earn certifications such as WHMIS, First Aid, Working at Heights, and Smart Serve. Cultural components include on-the-land activities, skill-sharing, and cross-cultural competency. Employment opportunities are identified with each participant’s strengths, interests, and goals in mind. YESS provides ongoing support to both participants and employers, along with wraparound services to help address barriers and challenges.