News & Events

Honourable Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance and Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour announced today that the federal government is investing $225 million over 4 years in a Future Skills Centre. The Future Skills Centre will test and rigorously measure innovative approaches to identify emerging in-demand skills and to help Canadians develop the skills they need to take full advantage of and succeed in the new economy.

Ryerson University was awarded the Future Skills Centre bid and it includes partnerships across the country, including working with YES.

“YES is pleased to be a part of the Ryerson led Future Skills Centre, and as the leading youth employment agency in Canada, YES has vast experience and data to help this initiative”.

YES is Canada’s leading youth employment provider, and has helped change the lives of hundreds of thousands of youth in its 50 year history. YES and it’s world class team help train young people with critical employment and life skills, followed by work placement through its network of thousands businesses. With a close to 90% success rate, YES changes lives forever and helps build safer stronger communities.

Canadian youth facing mental health barriers receive help thanks to employment program

Toronto, ON, November 22, 2018 – Youth Employment Services (YES), Canada’s leader in reducing youth unemployment for the past 50 years, is celebrating a multi-year commitment from Manulife aimed at growing mental health support for young people seeking employment.

Mental health issues are becoming increasingly common. In fact, it is estimated that 10-20% of young Canadians face a mental health challenge. Our youth suicide rate is also the third highest in the industrialized world – suicide being the second highest cause of death among Canadians aged 15 to 24. The stigma attached to mental illness prevents many young people from seeking treatment – sadly, only one out of five young people who need help will receive it.

“This generous gift from Manulife will ensure that more young people will receive the critical support they need to overcome barriers, manage their mental health and be able to better contribute to the community,” said Sinead McCarthy, Vice President, Youth Employment Services.

“Manulife aims to inspire people to make well-informed choices that will help them live longer and healthier lives. This is one of the many reasons why we are excited to work with YES in empowering young Canadians and helping open more doors for them to thrive in the workforce,” said Donna Lowe Carbell, Senior Vice President, Group Benefits at Manulife.

Employment is an extremely important part of any person’s mental health journey towards recovery. It can contribute to one’s identity by creating new social networks and by giving a person a sense of purpose through their valued work in the community. The commitment between YES and Manulife will enable young people facing mental health challenges to learn important employment skills, gain confidence and independence, participate in wellness programs and secure paid employment.

For more information on YES, please visit www.yes.on.ca

Youth Employment Services

YES believes that employment is empowerment and the cornerstone of safe and healthy communities. YES leads the Canadian youth sector with innovative programs that empower disadvantaged and vulnerable youth to become self-sufficient contributing members of society. Over the past 50 years, YES has led the Canadian youth sector and helped hundreds of thousands of youth with innovative programs that have empowered disadvantaged and vulnerable youth to become self-sufficient contributing members of society through employment.

Contact

Youth Employment Services Timothy Lang, President and CEO 555 Richmond St. W Suite 711, Toronto, ON M5V 3B1 416 504 5516 x 229 tim_lang@yes.on.ca