A new program run by the Halifax-based Black Business Initiative is expanding to provide young people living on Prince Edward Island with more opportunities for career development.
The Barrier Breakers Youth Program began in July with an in-person cohort based in Nova Scotia.
The second session, which is set to begin next week, will include participants from across the Atlantic region, with a focus on providing mentorship and career opportunities to those living in rural communities.
“Not only are we going to connect them with placements, but we’re also connecting them with mentors and people that can give them some guidance on what next steps look like for them,” said Chipo Nhema, the director of youth initiatives at the Black Business Initiative.
We want to keep the talent here. And talent is here.— Chipo Nhema
Transportation and lack of opportunities are some of the employment barriers the program is aimed at addressing, Nhema said.
She noted that rural communities don’t have the same resources as urban centres in Atlantic Canada.
“There is this need for employability training. There is this need for supports,” she said, adding that the program is bridging a gap to ensure that young people can properly transition into meaningful careers.
“My hope is that… people find a safe space in this program,” she said. “It doesn’t just focus on the placements alone and the work, but there’s also holistic support and wraparound supports that [participants] can obtain.”
Keeping talent in Atlantic Canada
The Black Business Initiative is working with partners across the region to offer work placements through the Barrier Breakers Youth Program, Nhema said.
“We want to ensure that people are kept here,” she said.
‘My hope is that… people find a safe space in this program,’ says Chipo Nhema. (Submitted by Chipo Nhema)
“Ideally, we want people to stay versus… looking for opportunities elsewhere across Canada — which isn’t a bad thing, but we want to keep the talent here. And the talent is here.”
The program is funded by the federal government’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy.
“The hope is that if you’re someone within P.E.I., we’re finding you a placement within P.E.I., which is why we are working with employer partners across all [Atlantic] provinces,” she said.
“Because this is a virtual opportunity, the added benefit is that if someone in P.E.I. finds an opportunity here in Nova Scotia or in Newfoundland, they’re still able to participate.”
Success of the program
Nhema said the first cohort of the program was successful, with 23 participants going on to secure work placements in Nova Scotia with organizations such as BGC, Canadian Red Cross, Health Association of African Canadians, HCi3 and the Halifax Sexual Health Centre.
The diverse pool of employer partners means participants can find meaningful work that aligns with their interests, while also building transferrable skills, Nhema said.
The Barrier Breakers Youth Program has a diverse pool of employment partners, including BGC, Canadian Red Cross, Health Association of African Canadians, HCi3 and the Halifax Sexual Health Centre. (Submitted by Chipo Nhema )
The program’s job training portion includes developing skills like communication, resume writing and digital and financial literacy, she said, adding that the second cohort will also leverage mentors with expertise in entrepreneurship, innovation and technology.
“Ensuring that they are well-equipped with skills to enter the workforce is very important because it allows them to be marketable,” she said.
Nhema said she hopes that the program will continue to be renewed for additional sessions, but for now the focus of the Black Business Initiative is supporting participants from the first two cohorts.