1. Employment Development Program:
Thandiwe Ncube
Employment Program Manager
Newcomer Employment & Education Development Services (N.E.E.D.S.) Inc.
MANSO Integration Summit
October 26, 2017
Employment Development Program:
Responding to the Needs of Multi-Barriered Refugee Youth

2. Overview
The Employment Development Program was designed in an attempt to provide more appropriate and comprehensive programming for refugee youth who were experiencing multiple barriers in gaining and maintaining employment
The combination of past experiences and settlement challenges (limited English language skills, changing family roles, etc.) often results in increased risk for many older youth from a refugee background
These risks include:
Difficulties in the formal education system
Social isolation
Gang and/or criminal involvement
Difficulties gaining and maintaining employment

3. Why is there a need for this type of programming?
Existing programming was not accessible to multi-barriered refugee youth with low English language levels
Lack of multi-barried youth’s engagement with afterschool programs
Limited options for refugee youth nearing the end of their eligibility for high school education
Adult education programs not always an appropriate fit
Pressure to find work and/or contribute to bring in financial resources
Transitioning onto EIA a more viable option
Increased risk of gang involvement
The EDP program aims to decrease some of the barriers refugee youth face when attempting to gain and maintain a job while increasing their educational accomplishments

4. Employment Development Program (EDP) Overview

5. STREAM ONE 100 Refugee Youth in Grades 9 – 12
Pre-Employment & Career Development Workshops
Needs Assessment
Educational Support
Support Services

6. Pre-Employment & Career Exploration Workshops
All program participants attend this component of the program
Workshops focus on providing youth with the information and skills needed to successfully transition from the high school system to the Canadian Labour Market
Workshops are adapted to meet the needs of the students in each of the grades and are interactive and hands-on; this helps the youth be engaged in the learning process and build interpersonal skills, communication skills and confidence.
Topics include:
Self-Discovery & Community
Understanding & Navigating Employment Barriers
Different Career Options
Education & Career Planning
Job Searching
Resume Writing & Interviewing
Job Maintenance

7. Needs Assessments All program participants receive a needs assessment
The goal is to determine what additional employment supports participants may require to successfully gain and maintain employment
For youth still in high school, the focus is on gaining summer employment
For youth who are near graduation, the focus is on securing a job upon their completion of high school

8. Educational Support
All program participants are eligible to receive support with their school work
Academic success is an important factor in determining the overall success of students from a refugee background
Program participants are linked up to existing homework clubs so they can increase their academic abilities
Students who require more comprehensive, 1-on-1 support or experience barriers in accessing existing programs will be connected to a volunteer tutor

9. Employment Support Services
All program participants are eligible to receive support services
Refugee youth often experience many challenges that create difficulties in gaining and maintaining employment.
Support services include:
Transportation (bus fare)
Interpretation
Crisis Counselling
On-site computer and internet access
Meals & snacks

10. STREAM TWO 20 Multi-barriered Refugee Youth in Grades 11 – 12
Individual Career Coaching
English for Employment Purposes
Workplace Experience & Monitoring
Psychosocial Support

11. Individual Career Coaching
Employability skills and information is delivered on a 1-on-1 basis to better support the participants and meet their individual needs
Each participant in stream two is assigned a career coach who is responsible for monitoring their progression through the program
Career coaches work to address issues such as:
Limited English language skills
Interpersonal challenges
Limited availability to attend group activities due to other commitments
Computer and internet access on site
Meals & snacks

12. English for Employment Purposes
Limited English language skills are often the biggest barrier preventing refugee youth from entering the labour market
Small group English language workshops that are specific to a Canadian workplace were offered to participants at the agency
Participants receive forty (40) hours of sector specific language training
For those participants who require it, additional English for Employment Purposes support will be provided once they are in the workplace, allowing for a more targeted approach

13. On-site Work Experience & Workplace Monitoring
Youth receive a work placement in a sector that matches their skills and interest
Employer Liaisons conduct regular workplace monitoring visits throughout the work experience component and work closely with the youth and employer partners to ensure that mutual needs are met
Provide on-going support to youth in the workplace by helping to address performance issues and/or external factors that may be hindering the work placement experience
Receive feedback from employers on how youth can improve
Provide feedback to employers on how they can better support youth who are experiencing challenges in the workplace

14. Psychosocial Support
Due to past experience, settlement challenges and limited knowledge and experience with the Canadian Labour Market, refugee youth often require additional support to be successful in the workplace.
Psychosocial support is provided to all participants as a way of increasing their success at both gaining and maintaining employment.
The goal is to improve each participant’s ability to successfully navigate challenging experiences throughout their settlement and employment.
When participants require more comprehensive support, NEEDS will ensure an appropriate and timely referral is made to a relevant community organization.
Issues addressed include:
Adjustment issues
Educational challenges
Family and interpersonal conflict
Pro-social skill development

15. Program Deliverables (April 2017 – Present)
Program Component
Target # of Participants
Actual # of Participants
Pre-Employment & Career Development Workshops
100 82
Needs Assessments
Educational Support
as needed
Support Services
Individual Career Coaching 20 17
English for Employment Purposes
On-Site Work Experiences 14
Workplace Monitoring
Psychosocial Support

16. Highlights of the Employment Development Program
Integrative approach that combines the efforts of both schools and service providers
Establishment of positive relationship with employers with a hands-on management style
High level of youth engagement with Career Coaches one-on-one and in English for Employment purposes workshops
Notable increase in youth’s confidence and communication skills
Youth’s demonstrated understanding of time-management and prioritizing of responsibilities
Continuation in high school and intent to enter postsecondary education
Youth have gained employment

17. Challenges of the Employment Development Program
Limited English language skills
Some youth are unable to meet the demands and expectations of Canadian workplace culture, despite training
Financial strain (need to find work right away, limited time for training)
Family responsibilities and pressure
Difficulty maintaining school-work-life balance
Intergenerational conflict (different expectations from parents, etc.)
Employers are limited in their capacity to provide the necessary training and mentorship opportunities to multi-barriered youth
Youth transitioning from high school to full-time employment still require a lot of support

18. QUESTIONS?