The Career Foundation’s Completing the Circle is a no-cost program that makes a huge difference in the lives of youth aged 15-30.
Completing the Circle helps youth in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area find full-time work across a wide range of fields.
It’s one of multiple programs and services offered by The Career Foundation, a long-standing Ontario non-profit that helps thousands of people every year access employment via personalized job search assistance, career placements and more.
The CTC program is dedicated to helping young people facing barriers to employment.
The program is designed to completely equip youth with the skills required to secure employment, from building a resume, self-confidence, enhancing their skills set, grooming advice, and preparing them for the labour market.
The program is a game changer for youth. In addition to the employment services and training, the program is designed to assist youth as they focus on building their careers and becoming financially stable. This includes support with critical essentials like transportation, food, and support for job search related items like professional clothing, etc.
J.D., who had recently immigrated to Canada, credits the program for helping her get her career started.
“When I first came to Canada, finding employment was hard,” J.D. said. “My step-mom told me about the [Completing the Circle] program. When I did my research, I realized it was a good opportunity to help me with my skills, like job interviews.”
Various workshops are available through this program to prepare youth for every aspect of the job search. The workshops cover a diverse range of topics including:
- Job search and how to land a job
- Preparing youth for Canadian workplace
- Health and wellness sessions for the youth to become job ready
- Succeeding at work and job retention
- Workplace safety
- Other job-specific skills
“I really liked that they gave us opportunities to practice our interviewing skills, improve our resumes, and meet other people, because when I first came here, I didn’t really know anyone,” J.D. said.
“It helped me network, helped me with job searching, and helped me gain employment in a job that I like.”
Upon completion of the program, participants will be equipped to pursue employment across a wide range of industries and sectors, including but not limited to customer service, hospitality, food service, cleaning and maintenance, healthcare, administrative support, security, and general labor.
Additionally, participants may receive bonuses for successful completion of the program.
Spots in the program are in high demand, so it’s recommended to apply now to join the waitlist and be notified of an opening.
The program offers tons of benefits for young jobseekers:
- One-on-one support that meets your individual needs
- Paid virtual/in-person workshops for up to five weeks
- No-cost certifications (Customer Service Excellence, First Aid/CPR, WHMIS)
- Work-related clothing, equipment, and other necessary supports to start and maintain employment
- Paid, full-time work placement, leading to permanent employment
- Employment placement completion bonus
The program has been a game-changer for many of its participants, helping youth across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area find work placements that can lead to permanent and meaningful careers.
“I like the fact that the program staff made sure to check up on each of us and made sure that everything was okay, even after getting a job,” said J.D. “They even checked up on our personal life to see where we would need help. I really liked that, and it stuck with me.”
Completing the Circle is also looking for employers to partner with, and eligible employers receive training subsidies when they offer job opportunities to the program’s youth participants.
Employer organizations interested in joining the program can register here.
The CTC program is an employment and skills development project funded in part by Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS).
Check careerfoundation.com to see how they can help you on your employment journey.
