Youth Connections Information for Youth

Whether you are looking for help in planning a career, information about furthering your education, or looking for job tips, Youth Connections staff will help you. The free program is designed for:

• young Albertans, age 16 to 24, who are unemployed or underemployed, have left school early or have not continued on to post-secondary education.
    
• young people still in school, who want help with preparing for a career.

Through the Youth Connections programs you can access:

• career counselling services
• work exploration opportunities (e.g. job shadowing, work experience, and workplace training)
• job search services
• education options

Career Counselling

Career counselors use their knowledge of people and the labour market to help you discover what career and work opportunities best suit your skills, personality and career objectives.  They can direct you to people and places that will help you achieve your goals.

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Work Exploration Opportunities

Youth Connections promotes a variety of activities that can help you get experience in the working world.  Here are a few possibilities:

Job Shadowing

Job Shadowing is a chance to observe someone in a field of work that interests you.  You can spend a few hours or days observing the tasks involved in a job and get answers to your questions to see if the career is right for you.

Work Experience

Work Experience allows you to be placed in an entry-level position, from one to three weeks, to gain first-hand volunteer experience. Work experience also offers a chance to start building a personal network of potential employers. Although it is not expected, some employers will hire work experience participants.

Workplace Training

Workplace Training offers worksite-based training to teach specific skills for occupations that are in demand.

Eligible Youth Connections clients include young people who are 18-24 years old, have been out of school for one year, and who are having difficulty finding and keeping a job.

The program runs from four to 32 weeks of full-time training (minimum of 30 hours/week). Part-time hours are available for people with disabilities.

You must agree to:

• a training plan developed with the employer and Workplace Training service provider
• the completion of a monthly progress report
• continued employment after training is completed.

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Job Search

Youth Connections offers you the use of computers, faxes, copiers and phones to help you apply for work. Staff members will help you with resumé writing, job search tips and interview skills. Our offices have up-to-date information on Alberta job opportunities, and offer connections with interested employers.

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Education Options

Youth Connections has information on education and training options throughout the province.  Whether you are finishing high school and looking at post-secondary institutions, or wanting to upgrade your skills so you can advance in your current job, we can help you find the information you need to pursue these options.