Employment Programs for Refugee Youth: A Practical Framework to Overcome Employment Barriers

This report provides a practical and evidence-based framework for designing employment programs for refugee youth. It identifies obstacles to workforce inclusion and considers how employment programs can address these barriers. The framework addresses program design while also highlighting promising practices related to recruitment, curriculum, program delivery, and integration with wraparound services. While the analysis is specific to immigrant-serving organizations in Atlantic Canada, it can be adapted to support other underrepresented groups. The report is based on case studies of two employment programs delivered by the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS). Research was guided by an advisory committee of refugee youth and involved client interviews and focus groups, as well as interviews with employers and program staff.