Any organization registered as a non-profit or charity in NL, NS, NU or PEI can apply to become an employer if they have a position to offer. For-profit organizations and businesses are not eligible to apply. Non-profits can apply whether they have a youth they’d like to hire or not – we can help with trying to find and match a youth who has applied through our online application process. Organizations can apply to employ more than one NEET youth participant at a time, and can apply during as many of the four cohorts as they like. 

This program is for NEET youth, meaning they are between the ages of 15-30 and not in employment, education or training. Youth in the provinces of NL, NS, NU and PEI can apply if they meet this criteria. Status with Employment Insurance or Income Support/social assistance programs do not affect eligibility. If they are NEET, they can apply! There are some priority groups, however youth that do not belong to these groups are still encouraged to apply. These groups include newcomers, single parents, those with disabilities, youth in remote/rural/fly-in communities, 2SLGBTQ+ youth, Black, Indigenous and other racialized youth, etc. who are allowed to work in Canada*. Youth can apply to participate in one of the four cohorts. 

*A participant must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a protected person under Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), as confirmed by Government of Canada documents. 

• Those awaiting refugee status or holding a temporary visitor, student or work visa, are ineligible to participate. 

• All participants must have a Social Insurance Number (SIN) and be entitled to work in Canada. A SIN beginning with “9” indicates temporary worker status, and such individuals are not eligible for YESS projects unless they have become protected persons under IRPA. 

1. Organizations apply to become employers and youth apply to become participants. Both applications for the spring 2026 cohort are now open, and the deadline to apply is March 15, 2026. 

2. The ASCEND team reviews the applications and contacts both employers and youth to let them know if they have been approved or not. Community Engagement Counsellors will work with organizations and youth to find out any needs, accommodations required, barriers, challenges, etc. to assess what will help placements be successful and beneficial/realistic for everyone. 

3. Employer organizations and NEET youth are matched based on referrals, location, needs, etc. 

4. Youth participants complete 70 hours of virtual pre-employment training arranged and coordinated by the ASCEND team. Youth participants are paid a training allowance by ASCEND (minimum wage equivalent) during these three weeks of training. Training for the third cohort is set to start March 30, 2026. 

5. Youth begin their work placements, with weekly check-ins with Community Engagement Counsellors. Counsellors will also maintain contact with the host employers to ensure they are also supported in working with their NEET youth placement. 

Youth application form: Youth Application, Spring 2026

Employer application form: Employer Application, 2026