Adapting the Art of Work National Employment Program for Youth in Care

Estimates from Canadian child welfare and youth advocacy organizations suggest that up to 50% of youth aging out of care experience NEET (not in Employment, Education or Training) status in the early years after leaving care as a result of unique and complex set of challenges that create barriers to and disengagement from both work and school. The consequences of early disconnection from the labour market are well-documented: lower wages, reduced earning capacity, delayed career progression, and diminished labour market confidence — effects that can persist well into adulthood.

This venture brings targeted adaptations to the Student’s Commission of Canada’s (SCC) national Art of Work youth employment program to support youth aging out of care who are disconnected from employment and education. The venture provides a structured, relationship‑based pathway that addresses the unique transition challenges youth face as they move from care into independence. The program is intentionally designed to respond to known failure points—including lack of trusted adult support, financial instability, and limited access to meaningful work experience—by combining paid employment, personalized coaching, and sustained post‑placement support.

The adapted model employs a scaffolded pathway with four supported phases. Youth begin with one-on-one “pathway planning” focused on trust‑building, goal setting, and identifying individualized education or employment trajectories. Following this, youth participate in paid work placements while attending weekly skills‑building workshops, providing both financial stability and opportunities to develop transferable workplace skills. The third phase prepares youth to transition into post-placement employment or education, and the fourth provides ongoing coaching during the highest-risk early months of work or study to support retention and sustained engagement.

Throughout all phases, participants receive weekly one‑on‑one coaching from dedicated SCC staff and are connected to SCC’s national ecosystem of youth‑serving organizations, employers, and learning opportunities. Employers are actively supported through training, guidance, and ongoing engagement to ensure placements are meaningful and positioned to lead to longer‑term employment. This approach builds on SCC’s national employer network and proven employment model while strengthening employer readiness to support youth from care.