The ASCEND program is transforming youth employment across Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Nunavut.
Funded by the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy and led by Community Sector Council Newfoundland and Labrador (CSCNL), ASCEND is delivered on the Island through a partnership with the Community Sector Network of PEI (CSNPEI).
This initiative provides meaningful employment opportunities for youth aged 15-30 who are Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET), while strengthening the community sector.
Want to join the next cohort as a host organization or NEET youth?
Employer eligibility
Any organization registered as a non-profit or charity in NL, NS, NU or PEI can apply to become an employer if they have a position to offer. For-profit organizations and businesses are not eligible to apply. Non-profits can apply whether they have a youth they’d like to hire or not – we can help with trying to find and match a youth who has applied through our online application process. Organizations can apply to employ more than one NEET youth participant at a time, and can apply during as many of the four cohorts as they like.
Youth eligibility
This program is for NEET youth, meaning they are between the ages of 15-30 and not in employment, education or training. Youth in the provinces of NL, NS, NU and PEI can apply if they meet this criteria. Status with Employment Insurance or Income Support/social assistance programs do not affect eligibility. If they are NEET, they can apply! There are some priority groups, however youth that do not belong to these groups are still encouraged to apply. These groups include newcomers, single parents, those with disabilities, youth in remote/rural/fly-in communities, 2SLGBTQ+ youth, Black, Indigenous and other racialized youth, etc. who are allowed to work in Canada*. Youth can apply to participate in one of the four cohorts.
*A participant must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a protected person under Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), as confirmed by Government of Canada documents.
- Those awaiting refugee status or holding a temporary visitor, student or work visa, are ineligible to participate.
- All participants must have a Social Insurance Number (SIN) and be entitled to work in Canada. A SIN beginning with “9” indicates temporary worker status, and such individuals are not eligible for YESS projects unless they have become protected persons under IRPA.
Meet your Community Engagement Counsellor!
Christine Batten
Christine brings over two decades of experience as a small business owner and graphic designer in Western PEI, where she also led the Holland College experiential learning program Transitions as Team Lead and Business Mentor.
She holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of New Brunswick and an administration certificate from Holland College.
Christine is committed to her community, currently serving on the Board of the PEI Literacy Alliance. Outside of her professional life, Christine proudly sings with Island A Cappella, the Island’s only all-women’s barbershop chorus.
