Fostering community pathways for youth employment (including job-ready skills).

Mississauga – 2023

Mississauga Agenda Gap (2023) participants identified a lack of employment opportunities and limited job-ready skills as key concerns for youth. They felt this issue was particularly relevant in their community as West Mississauga is estimated to have the highest concentration of youth in Canada. Participants emphasized that employment not only fosters independence and builds confidence but also strengthens community belonging.

To draw the attention of local policymakers, educators, and employers to youth employment challenges and to equip young people with practical strategies to boost their job readiness the group organized a hybrid Employment Success Strategies workshop. The event featured experts from YMCA’s Youth for Entrepreneurship program who shared tips on navigating resume screening systems; a UBC Agenda Gap facilitator who presented on the R.A.T.S. resume method; and a youth engagement coordinator from EveryMind Mental Health Services who spoke about maintaining wellness and practicing self-compassion during the job search.

The workshop was a success. Attendees reported that the workshop was highly useful, and all indicated they had learnt something new during the session To extend the impact, participants summarized the information shared by developing a Resume Toolkit, Interview Toolkit, and an informational poster with Calls to Action. These resources, along with a recording of the workshop, are available on the Erin Mills Connects website to serve as a lasting resource for youth and engage the broader community.