Innovative Youth Career Catalyst Program Bridges Outdoor Learning and Employment

A three-stage pathway helps Canadian youth gain skills, confidence, and work experience.

Youth unemployment in Canada is at its highest in over a decade, with rates reaching 17% in Alberta and nearly 15% nationally. To help address this, Outward Bound Canada (OBC) launched the Youth Career Catalyst (YCC) Program, designed to help young people gain skills, confidence, and work experience.

A three-stage pathway

The program combines:

• Outdoor learning: Two weeks in nature to build resilience and teamwork.
• Skills training: 10 days of workshops and certifications, including First Aid and job-readiness.
• Supported hire: Paid, entry-level roles with mentorship and coaching, ensuring safe, inclusive workplaces.

This approach helps participants develop confidence, adaptability, and networks for long-term success.

Participants will spend 24 days living and learning with a diverse community of peers. This highly experiential program equips participants with:

• Life and employability skills: Collaboration, adaptability, communication, and problem-solving
• Technical skills: First Aid training and other regionally-specific skills training.
• Professional skills: Goal setting and career mapping, employment readiness skills, and job search strategies.

Comprehensive support

Funded by the Government of Canada's Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, YCC is free for participants. It covers gear, food, accommodation, training allowances, and travel subsidies, removing financial barriers. Employers benefit from 50–100% wage funding for up to 14 weeks and ongoing OBC support.

Eligibility

Ready to explore your future? Here's who is eligible to apply for the Youth Career Catalyst program:

• Ages 18 to 30
• Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons
• Not currently working, in school, or in training
• Priority for youth facing barriers, including those in rural or remote areas, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, and those with limited financial means

How to apply

The next cohort launches Spring 2026. Interested youth can submit an expression of interest via OBC's website. Travel subsidies and training allowances are available; housing and relocation costs are not covered.

About OBC

Since 1969, Outward Bound Canada has empowered youth through experiential learning in nature, fostering resilience, leadership, and community connection.