Young people facing barriers to employment throughout the province will have more opportunities to find jobs and improve their life skills supported by new provincial funding.

The YWCA program – offered in person in Prince George, Port Coquitlam and virtually provincewide –  provides young people, especially those receiving income assistance, with group-based, trauma-informed training and supports focused on life and employability skills. It is supported by the Province, in partnership with the Government of Canada, through an investment of $2.4 million over three years.

“To help young people overcome challenges on their path to employment, we’re funding the right supports to succeed,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “Programs like YWCA’s NextStep help build skills, confidence and experience so youth get good jobs.”

The 12-week NextStep program gives young people hands-on experience through volunteering and community projects. It also offers classroom workshops, one-on-one support and financial incentives for completing the program. Participants can earn certifications, such as FoodSafe Level 1, Emergency First Aid, and Serving It Right. These are credentials that can open doors to job opportunities. To set participants up for success, the program provides personalized action plans, individualized guidance and connections to wraparound supports tailored to each person’s needs.

“The YWCA NextStep program has given me many useful things to help me in my future, such as providing the resolve to get back into the job market and giving me the knowledge to pursue the proper education I need to become a digital media specialist,” said Colin Bonneau, a NextStep youth program participant from Port Coquitlam.

The program is funded by the Government of Canada through Employment Insurance contributions from workers and employers via the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement.

Quote:

Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario –             

“When young people are learning, working and succeeding, our communities and our whole country benefit. Programs like NextStep give youth hands-on experience, valuable certifications and one-on-one guidance to help them reach their full potential. This program is a powerful example of how our governments are working together to empower youth across BC and build a brighter future for Canada."

Quick Facts:

• YWCA’s NextStep program will support up to 288 young people over three years.
• Virtual training opens to youth throughout B.C on Nov. 10, 2025.
• Registrations are accepted on an ongoing basis. ​

Learn More:

Information about YWCA’s NextStep and applications can be found here: https://ywcavan.org/nextstep

To learn more about WorkBC Employment services available, visit: https://www.workbc.ca/discover-employment-services