Paid Youth Employment Program: Women 15-30

Young Women: Paid Work Experience & Employment Training Program

16-Week PAID Employment Readiness Program

8 Weeks – In-Class Employment Readiness & Skills Training 8 Weeks – PAID Employment Experience

Looking for your first job or having a hard time getting your foot in the door?

Dress for Success Kingston is recruiting young women to participate in our Youth Employment Skills Strategy Program.

The program supports young women who may be facing barriers to employment by providing the skills, support, training, and paid work experience they need to take their next step toward employment.

You don't need to have a perfect resume or years of experience. You just need to be ready to learn, participate, and take the next step.

To be eligible for the YESS program, applicants must:

· Be between 15 and 30 years of age

· Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

· Be interested in gaining employment skills and work experience

· Be available to participate in the full 16-week program

· Be motivated to learn and work toward employment

Previous work experience is not required.

We understand that getting your first job — or getting back into the workforce — isn't always easy. You may have limited work experience, gaps in your resume, transportation challenges, financial barriers, or other circumstances that have made finding employment difficult.

YESS is here to help.

What is YESS?

YESS is a 16-week employment readiness program designed to help young women develop the practical skills, confidence, and experience needed to obtain and maintain entry-level employment.

Weeks 1–8: In-Class Employment Readiness & Skills Training

During the first eight weeks, participants take part in employment preparation and hands-on skills development, including topics such as:

· Workplace communication

· Customer service

· Professionalism and workplace expectations

· Working as part of a team

· Resume and interview preparation

· Job searching and applying for jobs

· Workplace rights and responsibilities

· Identifying your strengths and skills

· Setting employment goals

· Industry-related training and certifications

· CPR/First Aid

· Smart Serve and/or Safe Food Handling, where applicable

· Hands-on workplace learning opportunities

Weeks 9–16: PAID Employment Experience

After completing the first eight weeks, participants move into an 8-week paid employment experience with a local employer.

This gives you the opportunity to:

· Get real-world work experience

· Build your resume

· Develop a work history

· Practise the skills you've learned

· Build confidence in the workplace

· Learn what it is like to work in a real workplace

· Develop positive workplace references

· Connect with local employers

· Gain experience that can help you apply for future jobs

Participants continue to receive support from Dress for Success Kingston throughout the program.

Additional Supports

YESS participants may also have access to:

· Professional clothing and suiting support

· Transportation assistance

· Laptop access, where needed

· Individualized employment support

· Help preparing for interviews and starting a new job

· Additional training and certifications

· Ongoing encouragement and support throughout the program

Program Details

Program Length: 16 weeks Weeks 1–8: In-Class Employment Readiness & Skills Training Weeks 9–16: PAID Employment Experience Location: Kingston, Ontario and surrounding area Cost: FREE – There is no cost to participate

Program activities take place at Dress for Success Kingston, with paid employment experiences taking place with participating local employers.

Application Process

Application Link: https://forms.gle/TVwZNNvEECCQScvQ8

All applicants will be contacted for a phone interview.

The phone interview gives us an opportunity to learn more about you, your employment goals, your interests, and what support you may need to be successful.

You don't need to know exactly what you want to do next. We're here to help you take that first step.

Ready to Get Started?

If you're ready to build your skills, gain paid work experience, and take the next step toward getting a job, we want to hear from you!

Apply today to join the YESS Program and start building your work experience.

Space is limited. Applications are encouraged as soon as possible.

The next cohort starts on November 9 2026.