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Youth Employment Skills Strategy (YESS)

Youth in Nunavut ages 15 to 30 at the time of intake, are eligible to earn $1,650 in training stipend to complete courses within a chosen stream including:

* Frontline worker (Youth and Family)
* Frontline worker (Childcare)
* Retail services, and 
* Office and administration

Eligible Communities

Youth may be from any Nunavut community, but targeted reach are:

Gjoa Haven
Cambridge Bay
Baker Lake
Rankin Inlet
Pond Inlet
Pangnirtung
Iqaluit

The YESS program is a 3-year contribution by Service Canada to enhance skills development and quality work placement experience for labour force attachment.

Course Delivery

Due to COVID-19, the courses are largely online using our Desire2Learn (D2L) learning management system, with over 100 accredited courses that reflect industry competencies. Some courses are delivered in-person or via Zoom. Students receive a loaner laptop and wingle to access the courses and instructors through instructor-led sessions, online course completion, videos and group discussions.

Employment Placements

Funding is available through the YESS program to provide local employers with a $16/hr wage subsidy for 8-weeks (290 hours) of a placement. Funds are reimbursed through a simplified participation agreement and provision of copies of paystubs. The employer must provide $5/hr towards the placement wage (total $21/hr) for a quality placement. Student and placement support is provided by iSDC to ensure a good placement for both parties.