What is the Ready for Launch Program?

A 12-week employment program designed to support young women and gender-diverse youth (aged 16–30) with limited to no work experience who are currently facing multiple barriers to finding and maintaining employment. The program offers accessible opportunities for youth to develop their skills and connect with potential employers.

Ready for Launch includes:

  • A paid 4-week in-class training sessions focused on skills-building (with a commitment of 30 hours per week)

  • A paid 8-week skills experience (with a commitment of 30 hours per week). 

Program Eligibility:

  • A young woman or a gender-diverse youth (aged 16-30).

  • Someone who has limited or no work experience and is facing multiple barriers to employment.

  • Currently not studying, unemployed, or underemployed (working less than 20 hours/week).

  • Able to attend programming for 30 hours a week.

  • A citizen of Canada, a permanent resident, or has been granted refugee status.

  • Able to attend programming for 30 hours a week, in person (St. John’s, NL, and surrounding areas).

Next Cohort Starts: January 13th, 2025

Ana Perez Rico - Youth Employment Coordinator
Phone: (709) 770-9634 
Email: ana@ywcastjohns.ca

Bella Alshakhshir - Youth Employment Coordinator
Phone: (709) 771-9072
Email: bielasan@ywcastjohns.ca

The Ready for Launch Program is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada.

Applications are encouraged from all members of diverse and minority groups and from folks facing various barriers to employment (including but not limited to folks who: live with disabilities, self-identify as Indigenous, live in rural or remote locations, are single parents, experience language barriers, are recent immigrants, have not completed high-school).