First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada's (AANDC's) First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy (FNIYES) supports initiatives to provide First Nations and Inuit youth with work experience, information about career options, and opportunities to develop skills to help them gain employment and develop careers.

The FNIYES is tied to the Government of Canada's goal of enhancing Aboriginal Canadians' education, participation in the labour market and economic success.

The FNIYES has an annual budget of $24 million. Since the launch of this strategy, close to 150,000 opportunities have been provided to First Nations and Inuit youth. More than 600 First Nations and Inuit communities design and implement projects each year.

Objectives of the FNIYES

The First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy (FNIYES) supports First Nations and Inuit youth, between the ages of 15 and 30, who are ordinarily resident on reserve or in recognized communities.

The objectives of the FNIYES are to:

  • Support development and enhancement of essential employability skills
  • Expose young people to a variety of career options
  • Promote the benefits of education as key to labour market participation
  • Help provide co-operative education work and study opportunities

FNIYES Programs

AANDC delivers two programs under the First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy.

The First Nations and Inuit Summer Work Experience Program supports initiatives to help First Nations and Inuit youth acquire skills, prepare for full-time employment and earn income to support post-secondary education, through summer work experience.

The First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program supports initiatives that help First Nations and Inuit youth acquire essential employability and job-related skills, and to learn about job and career options, to prepare them for employment and career development.

The Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy

The FNIYES is a component of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy (YES) led by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC). The YES was launched in 1997 to help youth enhance their employability skills while increasing the number of skilled young Canadians in the workforce.

A total of 11 federal government departments are involved in delivering YES initiatives.

AANDC is responsible for employment and skills development under the YES for First Nations and Inuit youth. Other Canadian youth are encouraged to visit Youth Employment Strategy   for more information on the YES and how to apply for various YES programs.

For more information on the Government’s broad range of youth programs, visit Youth Canada   or call 1-800-622-6232.

Additional Information