Employment Skills Programs
True equality involves economic empowerment, decision-making, and diverse career opportunities for all women and gender diverse people. The gender wage gap is narrowing, thanks to hard earned gains in expanding opportunities for education and employment, but it remains sizeable.
Women working the “same job” as men earn 9.2 to 20.4 per cent less than their male counterparts, with Indigenous, racialized, and newcomer women facing the largest gaps (Stats Can 2023).
When women and gender diverse people have financial independence, they’re more equipped to escape abusive situations, provide for their families, follow their goals and dreams, and participate in their communities.
Our free and paid-to-participate Employment Programs work to give participants the resources they need to make desired career changes, find a job that suits their interests, and build on existing skills.
Explore our current program Employment Programs below in the Halifax Regional Municipality.
If you are an employer and are interested in hosting a placement or hearing more about how YWCA employment programs can assist your business with finding well suited employees while also saving you time and money, please reach out to our Employment Programs team at: employmentprograms@YWCAHalifax.com
Questions? Please Contact: employmentprograms@ywcahalifax.com
Program Opportunities & Information
ACCESS
Access is a 22-week paid program, providing employment skills training and support to women and gender diverse people who are experiencing barriers to employment that are related to their mental health or neurodivergence. The program provides a wide range of educational and self-exploratory opportunities to engage in learning and healing in supportive and trauma informed environment. We welcome you as you are, and with a small class size of eight, participants benefit from opportunities for 1-on-1 support and increased participation in discussion and hands on activities.
Unfortunately, those residing in Nova Scotia on work or educational Visas are not eligible for the program as dictated per our funding agreement
We cover a variety of topics related to mental health and self-advocacy, including; anxiety, stress, burnout, accommodation, values and boundary setting to name a few. These topics are followed with a deep dive into employment topics, such as identifying skills you never knew you had, job searching, career exploration, workers rights, and creation of resumes and cover letters followed by a full week committed to helping you ace your next interview!
COMMUNITY ACTION PROJECT: 4 Weeks of Action (20 Hours per week)
As a group, participants select an initiative to complete in support of their community. This can be in the form of a fundraiser, item drive, information campaign, or anything else that speaks to participants, and they have identified a need for in their community! This project provides opportunities to work collaboratively as a team, and practice skills they have developed and identified in class.
WORK PLACEMENT: 10 Weeks of Employment (20 Hours per week)
Participants will secure a work placement with a local employer in their area of interest, with support from program coordinators. Participants will have continued access to support and advisement from coordinators throughout this time. The hope upon completion of the work placement is continued employment with the employer or valuable reference to support them in securing equivalent work.
$16.50/hr compensation to attend!
Have questions or want to register? Contact a program coordinator by email!
Em Isbill (they/them) | e.isbill@ywcahalifax.com
Cassie Sundin (they/she) | c.sundin@ywcahalifax.com
Ready for Launch
Ready 4 Launch is a paid employment readiness program designed to support youth in building the skills, confidence, and experience needed to successfully transition into the workforce. Through interactive workshops and real-world work experiences, participants gain practical tools, transferable skills, and hands-on experience to support long-term employment success.
- Be within the eligible age range (15-30 years old)
- Identify as women, gender-diverse, or Two-Spirit
- Be a Citizen, Permanent Resident or have Refugee Status
- Be legally entitled to work in NS
- Be available to participate in 30 hours/week of programming
Phase 1: EMPLOYMENT READINESS WORKSHOPS (4 weeks)
Participants attend paid in-class workshops focused on:
- Skill identification and resume development
- Interview preparation
- Workplace communication
- Professional boundaries and expectations
- Goal setting and career exploration
Workshops are interactive and designed to build confidence, transferable skills, and job search strategies.
Phase 2: PAID SUPPORTED WORK PLACEMENT (10 weeks - 30 hrs/week)
- Participants are paid minimum wage
- Employers provide meaningful, hands-on work experience
- Employers are reimbursed for wages, MERC, and vacation pay
- Participants are supported throughout the placement
The placement provides real-world experience to strengthen resumes and increase employability.
Registration form link
Anne Gration | Employment Programs Coordinator
a.gration@ywcahalifax.com | (902)410-4594
Aarti Sharma | Employment Programs Coordinator
a.sharma@ywcahalifax.com | (902)410-8851
- Participants can only complete the program once.
- Three cohorts are offered annually.
- Space is limited and selection is based on eligibility and program fit.