Youth Awareness

Youth Awareness is an initiative funded under Employment Insurance (EI) Part II that complements the Youth Employment Strategy.

Youth Awareness provides financial assistance for projects designed to address labour market issues facing communities and can be used to develop and implement human resource strategies to meet employers’ current and future human resource needs. 

National priorities for Youth Awareness have been set to promote a pan-Canadian approach to the delivery of Youth Awareness projects. 

The following priorities were developed in collaboration with the Service Canada Centers and have been approved for fiscal year 2007-2008:

1. Skills Gaps – to expand youth’s awareness of the shortages in labour in certain skilled trades sectors of employment. 
2. Labour Force Integration of Rural Youth -   to improve opportunities for youth living in smaller, rural communities where jobs and employment services are more difficult to find

Project activities must clearly demonstrate they will improve the capacity of employers to deal with human resource requirements. 

Youth Awareness projects do not have direct participants, however, youth are normally the target audience of the project.

Who can be a Sponsor?

• Businesses
• Organizations
• Individuals
• Public health and education institutions
• Band/Tribal councils
• Municipal governments

How is the Program Delevered?

Youth Awareness projects are delivered at both the national, regional and local levels. 

Sponsors interested in developing Youth Awareness projects, or submitting proposals for funding should contact their local Service Canada Centre. 

More Information

To obtain further information about Service Canada and its programs, please contact your local Service Canada Centre .

More information for employers and youth

• Applicant Guide for Skills Link and Career Focus programs
• Canada Student Loans Program
• Career Exploration Resources
• Essential Skills
• HRSD Youth Employment Strategy programs
• Other government YES programs
• Youth Awareness
• Youth Employment Information Products and Services
• Youth.gc.ca
• Youth Link

About the Youth Employment Strategy

Twelve Government of Canada departments and agencies work in partnership with business, labour, industry, not-for-profit and voluntary organizations, rural and remote communities and all levels of government to help young people get the information and develop the skills and work experience they need to prepare for and participate in the world of work. Read more about this initiative or call the Youth Info Line at 1 800 935-5555.