Our Summer Cohort: Growth, Grit, and Real-World Readiness
Our July Youth Employment Skills and Strategy (YESS) cohort wrapped up an unforgettable four-week journey in Whitehorse! Featuring a slightly younger crew of 15-to-17-year-olds—all balancing school alongside their professional development—this exceptional group brought outstanding dedication to every single day. Remarkably reliable, the participants maintained fantastic attendance throughout the program and always communicated proactively whenever they couldn’t make it. Above all, their warmth stood out: they showed constant kindness to one another, as well as to every facilitator, mentor, and guest who came to work with them. In a program first, this energizing group is also earning their driver’s licenses through fully paid theoretical and in-car lessons with the Driving Academy, clearing a major hurdle on their path to future employment.
Sharpening Professional Standards
Throughout the program, the youth built a solid foundation for long-term career success. They drafted tailored resumes, crafted compelling cover letters, and mastered professional email etiquette and the classic professional handshake. They even gained tactical real-world insight on how to approach job hunting in different environments—learning how to drop off a resume at a bustling restaurant versus an active construction site or a corporate office. To solidify these skills, the group held weekly team staff meetings to reflect on workplace experiences, participated in an in-house customer service workshop, and worked with LDAY to explore different learning styles and brain science. To support overall well-being and long-term success, an Ignite Counselor led a personal growth seminar focused on navigating healthy professional boundaries with colleagues and customers.
Hands-On Trades & Outdoor Adventure
Workplace environments exploration and skill-building was central to this cohort’s daily routine. The youth learned the fundamentals of carpentry from local carpenter Lydia Veillette at the Yukonstruct woodshops, building custom park benches complete with creative concrete inserts for the YLC garden and Tucho camp. They explored artistic disciplines through pottery sessions at Amberley Cooke’s Annie Lake studio and glassblowing at Lumel Studios. To gear up for Yukon’s tourism and outdoor industries, the group practiced camp cooking on gas stoves, tackled a geo-teaming parkour challenge through the forest, and pushed their limits on outdoor rock-climbing walls. They also built confidence and physical resilience during a high-energy self-defense and street-smarts class at 8 Days Martial Arts with Bobby.
Financial Literacy & Work Experience
Financial independence was a core focus every Wednesday morning, as Vincent Menard, YLC’s Outreach Facilitator, led financial literacy workshops tailored specifically for youth. The group put their teamwork, organizational, and culinary skills into action by hosting a full pop-up coffee shop—building the menu from scratch, managing kitchen prep, and running a busy lunch service for real customers.
Equipped with industry-standard certifications in First Aid, Food Safe, and WHMIS, the youth stepped out into the community for two-day discovery shifts (completing three-hour placements twice a day) to experience daily life across various local workplaces. Armed with driver education, practical trades experience, and professional confidence, these young Yukoners are well-prepared to take on their next steps in the workplace.
Please check our Youth Program Page to see our next cohort’s registration dates!
