Barrier Breakers Youth Program – Paid Employment Opportunity for Black Youth
Pay: $17.00 per hour
Position Type: Temporary | Full-Time | Paid Placement
Location: Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador)
Program Start Date: Cohort 2 begins August 10, 2026
Application Deadline: July 31, 2026
The Black Business Initiative (BBI), in partnership with the Government of Canada, is recruiting Black youth across Atlantic Canada for the Barrier Breakers Youth Program, a paid employment and skills development program designed to support Black youth facing barriers to employment.
If you are between the ages of 15 and 30 and are looking to gain valuable work experience, build your skills, and explore career opportunities, this program is for you.
What You'll Gain
- Three weeks of paid job readiness training focused on workplace skills, communication, digital literacy, financial literacy, and career preparation
- A 14-week paid, full-time work placement with an employer in your community
- 35–40 hours per week throughout both the training and placement periods
- One-on-one coaching and ongoing support from the BBI team
- Resume development, interview preparation, and career planning support
- Connections to employers and future employment or education opportunities
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Identify as Black, African Canadian, African Nova Scotian, or a member of the African diaspora
- Be between the ages of 15 and 30 at the time of intake
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
- Be legally entitled to work in Canada
- Reside in Atlantic Canada
- Be unemployed at the time of intake and available to participate fully in the program
- Not be enrolled in school at the time of intake
- Be available to participate full-time throughout the program, including both the three-week training period and the 14-week work placement (35–40 hours per week, Monday to Friday)
In addition to employment and skills training, participants may also be eligible to access wraparound supports to help address barriers to participation and support their success throughout the program.
A confidential assessment will be completed during intake to determine eligibility and support needs.
Schedule
- Monday to Friday
- 35–40 hours per week
- In-person work placement
How to Apply
Please submit your resume through this posting.
Take the next step in your career journey. Gain experience, build your network, and develop the skills employers are looking for.
This project is funded by the Government of Canada through the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy and delivered by the Black Business Initiative. We are committed to equity, accessibility, and inclusion and encourage applications from Black youth across Atlantic Canada.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $17.00 per hour
Application question(s):
- Please note that the program requires full-time availability over a 20-week period. If you are planning to return to school in the fall, this opportunity may not align well with your academic schedule and may present challenges in meeting program commitments.
Work Location: In person
