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Breaking Barriers - Paid Job Skills Program

What is Breaking Barriers?

Funded by Service Canada and the Youth Employment Skills Strategy, Breaking Barriers is an 13-week skill building and
employment readiness program designed to support youth aged 15-30 as they seek full-time employment or return to school. This program is specifically designed to support youth who are facing barriers to employment.

The program runs in two parts: Employment Skills Training and Quality Employment Opportunity. 

  • Employment Skills Training will run for 30 hours per week for 6 weeks 
  • Monday – Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 
  • Participants will be compensated for this portion of the program at a rate of $15.00 per hour.
  • The Quality Employment Opportunity consists of a 37.5 hour/week work placement in the community, lasting for seven weeks. The          schedule of this placement varies depending on the needs of the employer. 
  • Participants will be compensated for this portion of the program at a rate of $15.00 per hour

Successful applicants must be able to attend to the full 13 weeks of the program concurrently. 

**Please note that this program is not ideal for youth who are currently enrolled in school.


Am I eligible to apply for Breaking Barriers?

  • Participants must be between the ages of 15 and 30 inclusive at the start of the program
  • Participants must be legally entitled to work in Alberta
  • Participants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or have been granted refugee status in Canada
  • Participants must be a facing a self-declared barrier to employment
  • Participants must be ready and willing to begin full-time (37.5 hours/week) work at the end of the Employment Skills Training portion of the program

How can I apply?

 Applications for the July 2025 intake are now open. Click the button below to submit yours! 

Apply Now