Youth Employment Skills & Strategy (YESS) Project

While RWA’s primary focus is on working with employers to connect real labour and skills needs with under-accessed talent pools, we are very proud to be an innovator in inclusive employment. Beyond hiring, RWA has helped businesses, policymakers, and communities reshape employment by fostering dialogue and innovation, and by working with organizations across the country to support in the the development of meaningful opportunities for persons with disabilities. One of the ways RWA encourages this is through the Youth Employment Skills and Strategy (YESS) Project.

Youth Employment for Indigenous and Racialized Communities

The YESS Project is an initiative led by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to deliver funding programs that help Canadian youth (aged 15 to 30) develop the skills and gain the experience they need to successfully transition into the labour market.

Our work, funded by YESS, aims to address the unique experiences and challenges faced by Indigenous, Black and other racialized youth with an intellectual disability or on the autism spectrum who are seeking employment in communities across Canada. Projects are led by community leaders with an understanding of the unique strengths and barriers related to youth employment in their community, and with a commitment to working collaboratively with local community partners.

This year we have partnered with:

South Asian Autism Awareness Center (SAAAC)
Métis Nation of Saskatchewan
Siksika First Nation
Community Family Supports Ontario Youth Alliance for Intersectional Justice
Whe-La-La-U Area Council Society
Community Futures British Columbia
Mamaweswen, the North Shore Tribal Council – Niigaaniin Services
Sacred Bundles Healing and Counselling Inc.
We Matter
Black Legal Action Centre
Nunavut Black Business Association

Career Advancement: Individual Professional Development Plans (IPDPs)

This initiative works collaboratively with supportive employment agencies across Canada to support individuals in developing Independent Professional Development Plans (IPDPs). These personalized plans aimed to help individuals with an intellectual disability or autism advance their careers by identifying key training and development opportunities. Each participant worked with an employment agent to define their career goals and select professional development courses. Through this initiative, participants gained access to industry-specific certifications, training, and essential skills programs to set them up for career advancement opportunities.

Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)

This year, we are also working with regional subject matter experts (SMEs) to help guide and strengthen our youth employment initiatives. These experts include self-advocates on the autism spectrum, individuals with an intellectual disability, supportive employment agents, inclusive employers, and community leaders. Their lived experience and professional insights will help us better understand what inclusive employment looks like in different communities.

SMEs support the review of employment tools and resources, provide feedback on program design, and help shape knowledge-sharing activities such as our upcoming webinars. Their contributions ensure our work remains accessible and aligned with the needs of youth and communities across Canada.

Contact:

For any additional questions, please contact the Project Manager:

Sinthea Chowdhury
schowdhury@inclusioncanada.ca