Youth Programs
Equipping young people with knowledge and tools to navigate the job market and plan for the future for all youth aged 15-30 throughout the Yukon.
The YESS Program Fall Cohort Registrations will Open Mid-September 2026
It is no longer possible to apply to be part our Summer cohort, and our Fall cohort will take place in October 2026.
Follow us on our social medias to get some updates on the Fall cohort’s exact registrations dates.
About Youth Programs
The Yukon Literacy Coalition teams up with community partners to develop and deliver exciting, youth-specific programs. The Skills for Success are integrated into all youth programs, helping participants boost their career prospects and ignite new interests. Designed to be informative and engaging, our programs ensure that every young person can find something thrilling that supports their growth and sets them on a path to success.
Past YESS Cohort
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.
Current Projects
Youth Employment & Skills Strategy
The Youth Employment Skills and Strategy (YESS) project is a 4 weeks activities-based program for Yukon youth aged 15 to 30, followed by 2 weeks subsidized work placement. The program takes place in Whitehorse and other Yukon communities year-round. This tri-territorial initiative runs in partnership with Ilitaqsiniq and NWT Literacy Council. It is funded by the Government of Canada (ESDC). The Yukon Literacy Coalition has successfully run for the last four years, increasing employable skills for the Yukon youth.
Youth Financial Literacy
Youth Financial Literacy involves teaching youth essential skills and financial health through preparedness-based activities. Financial health and essential skills are important for youth as it empowers them to make good decisions and helps build a positive relationship with money, increasing the chances of youth having secure finances as adults.
Youth-focused skills training meets the unique circumstances and needs of our Yukon Youth. Youth are provided with relevant information that allows them to learn, understand and develop the skills required to become more prepared, confident, and informed when making important life decisions. This approach allows programs to tailored to learning and skill development unique to the circumstances of specific youth, their communities, and their stage in life.
Youth Financial Literacy is being delivered in most schools throughout the Territory to ages 5-12. Workshop topics range from coin recognition to preparing for post-secondary.
The program also consists of a variety of workshops suitable for ages 5-18. Our Skills for Success programming focuses on one activity to build upon the participants skills and financial literacy. Activities include backcountry cooking, introduction to ceramics, employment readiness, and fishing lure making. These skills allow for participants to engage in experiential learning while building their essential skills and financial health.
Three for Change
The Yukon Literacy Coalition (YLC), NWT Literacy Council, and Ilitaqsiniq are collaborating on a project called ‘Three for Change’. This initiative aims to create and provide Skills for Success training programs and establish Social Enterprises across the North and within each Territory, aiming to provide opportunities for community capacity building and training. Despite their differences, the Territories face similar opportunities and challenges, fostering mutual learning and support.
Although many of the programs within this project have been targeted towards adults, YLC hosted a vibrant summer camp in 2024. The camp was called P.L.A.Y Camp and was for children aged 7 to 10. The acronym “P.L.A.Y” stands for “Physical Literacy and You,” reflecting YLC’s dedication to fostering holistic development through engaging activities aimed at enhancing physical skills, confidence, and overall well-being. Other social entreprises projects included the S.S. Culinary, a food truck operated by youth for 2 summers in Whitehorse, offering sourdough-themed menu during the first year, and a korean cuisine-inspired menu the second year.
YESS Program promo video
See a program you like?
Contact: Mark Steudle, Program Manager
mark.steudle@yukonliteracy.com
Our programs are free, inclusive, and designed for you!
Or… visit us in person!
Lots of our youth programs happen right here on the 2nd floor at Horwood’s Mall at the end of Main Street in Whitehorse.
Stop by, talk with us and see what we are all about!