Youth Empowerment

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EMPOWERMENT

MAISY STELLA

The Canadian singer-songwriter and actress shares her insight on the social pressures of growing up in the public eye, the impact her older sister has had on her, and why it's important to listen to youth voices.

As a young person, what issues in society do you feel are most important to address?

As a young person, there are undeniable pressures to be a certain way. Growing up is a delicate process that I believe society deeply harms. Growing into who you're supposed to be is a natural and beautiful process and it saddens me to see so many feel lost in this because of the issues in society. I think it's important that we continue to celebrate people for exactly who they are and not force them to fit into a societal mold.

What do you think are the most exciting attributes of your generation?

The most exciting attribute of our generation is the movement toward changing the status quo. Our generation has so much knowledge and information at its fingertips. With one search you can find so much information that older generations didn't have access to. We're informed on serious issues in the world and as much as it's devastating to see, it's needed in order for things to really change. Our generation is progressive, and I feel proud to be a part of a generation so motivated to take action for human rights and equality.

As a young woman in the spotlight, how do you overcome societal pressures and negative messages online?

Societal pressures and negative messages mostly come as the result of working in the public eye. Everyone has opinions and thoughts on what a young person growing up in the public eye should do and who they should be.

I've always just felt bad for the people who were simply hateful toward people who are living and doing what they do. I can't imagine how sad it would be to live with that much hate and negativity inside. Growing up in the public eye with my big sister Lennon is something I'm eternally grateful for. Doing it alone would have been much scarier for me. Lennon is always reminding me and teaching me about the world and helping me remember I'm exactly as I'm meant to be. I continue to remind myself that the negative messages online are so insignificant, and I don’t allow them to affect me anymore.

How has this past year impacted your mental well-being?

2020 was the most mind-altering year I've ever lived through. I feel very

grateful to have been in a position where my family and I were healthy and safe. It doesn't feel right complaining about anything knowing what others have been put through this past year. 2020 made me realize things about the world and myself that I was blind to before. It has made me appreciate life, my health, and everything that I overlooked. This past year has helped me live differently — with more love, compassion, and gratitude.

What advice would you give to other young people who are struggling with their self-worth and identity?

My big sister always tells me something that helps when I'm feeling this way.

She reminds me how there is only one of me in all of time. It's cheesy, I know, but nothing has ever been truer. There is only one of you and there will never be another. When I get in a place where I'm comparing myself to other people on social media and feeling lost in myself, I try to remember Lennon’s advice. I want to exist as myself, not as myself trying to become more like someone else. Allow yourself to exist as you are. Try to eliminate the pressure and comparison, and just grow.

Engaging Young People to Reshape the World Nicole Wry is a YMCA Community Action Network Coordinator from the YMCA of Greater Moncton and a member of the YMCA’s National Young Leaders Advisory Committee.

T

Nicole Wry

hink of a charity that works with youth, and it’s likely you’ll think of the YMCA. We’ve been mobilizing youth since our very beginning and it remains an essential part of who we are.

Young people look at the reality of today, imagine what could make a better tomorrow, and take action to make it happen. Every day, we see examples of youth energizing movements that address some of the biggest challenges we face. Can you think about climate change anymore without thinking about Greta Thunberg?

Of ten, t he word “yout h” is interpreted as “inexperienced.” At the Y, we know it’s not inexperience, it’s just new experience, providing a different take on the world. And this is a good thing, as youth offer perspectives with fresh eyes and open minds.

As one of Canada’s largest charities, the YMCA plays a role in youth

empowerment, not only through our programs, but as an employer of young people. We know that the Y is stronger because we nurture opportunities for youth to grow, contribute, and take action.

We invest in our young leaders and employees. We provide opportunities for professional development, like the YMCA Young Ambassadors Program, equipping youth as leaders to take action and make change.

Acro s s C a n ad a , t he Y MC A Community Action Network engages youth to address community needs through local service projects that are meaningful to them. Youth are developing solutions and advocating for change that has lasting impact to combat pressing social issues.

Our challenge to you is to think about the role young people have in the spaces you occupy. Are they included in decision-making? Are they consulted?

Are their innovations encouraged?

Change starts with intention, and when

you intentionally begin to empower youth, you’ll learn one essential truth: young people have value and young people have voices, and when they use them, the world shakes.

About YMCA Canada The YMCA is a powerful association of people joined together by a shared passion to foster a sense of belonging for all. In an age of complex social challenges, the YMCA is steadfastly dedicated to building healthy communities by inviting and encouraging Canadians to join in, to give back, and to gain the connections, skills, and confidence they need to thrive.

YMCA Canada is a charity and the national office of the Canadian YMCA Federation, providing support to 39 YMCA Member Associations. For more than a century we’ve been at the heart of communities across the country, serving evolving needs and providing vital community services.

Nicole Wry Coordinator, YMCA Community Action Network

For more information visit ymca.ca.

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Supporting Canada as a Global Leader in Environmental Workforce Solutions and Job Creation For young Canadians interested in an environmental career, ECO Canada offers support through vital on-the-job work experience and skills training.

A glance at ECO Canada’s impact on the youth job sector

Anne Papmehl

E Sarah Casorso Senior Manager of Employment Programs, ECO Canada

CO Canada has committed to helping young Canadians by administering wage subsidies through the federal government’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy program, accelerating the career pathways of the next generation of environmental leaders.

ECO Canada has been offering wage subsidies to eligible employers for the past 20 years. Employers benefit through access to a steady talent stream and recent graduates gain valuable on-the-job work experience and essential skills training.

Why the emphasis on youth?

Younger members of the workforce bring fresh perspectives, the latest knowledge and skills, and youthful energy and enthusiasm to the job — all essential qualities for innovation.

Support through capacity and skill-building work terms

To apply for funding or search for jobs, visit eco. ca/job-funding.

This article was sponsored by ECO Canada.

Funded by the ECO Canada Government of Canada, the Student Work Placement Program is designed to bridge the school-to-work transition. It offers a wage subsidy to eligible employers who hire students in the science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) and business disciplines. Work terms are flexible, with no age restrictions, and students don’t need to be enrolled in their school’s co-op program to participate. Funding applications are almost full for the upcoming summer session.

ECO Canada's Youth Employment in Natural Resources program provides internships in the natural resource sector that focus on environmental protection or processes with a positive environmental outcome. The program funds full-time positions and can help employers in rural and remote locations find qualified youth to fill job vacancies.

Other programs include the Science Horizons Youth Internship program, which helps businesses hire young professionals under age 31 in full-time, permanent environmental positions, and the Digital Skills for Youth program, which funds part-time jobs that

are environmentally related to the digital environment. “We know that the COVID19 pandemic has made finding jobs difficult, especially for young Canadians.

We also know that young people want to be part of the transition to a cleaner future. The Science Horizons Youth Internship program brings together youth and job opportunities to support Canada’s next generation of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) leaders and a healthier planet for future generations,” says The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

ECO Canada also assists underrepresented groups for employment with a large focus on Indigenous youth, rural and remote areas, women in STEM, visible minorities, and those underemployed. “Our programs encourage employers to hire from underrepresented groups and help young people overcome barriers while building skills to help their future careers,” says Sarah Casorso, Senior Manager of Employment Programs at ECO Canada.

One such initiative is the Building Environmental Aboriginal Human Resources (BEAHR) programs for Canada’s Indigenous communities, which blend western environmental science with traditional elder knowledge. The courses provide youth with the cultural, technical, and soft skills to be work-ready for an environmental career. BEAHR graduates can go on to receive job funding through some of the internship programs to gain environmental work experience.

Over $90 million dollars of funding distributed to employers to date

9,100 jobs created for youth

2,700 employers participated

88% of youth get hired after placements or return to school

Investing in the next generation of green leaders Through ECO Canada’s programs, employers can grow their teams and invest in the next generation.

ECO Canada is currently on track to complete 3,000 job placements in the ever-growing environmental sector by the end of 2021. Interested youth can upload their resumes to ECO Canada’s newly-launched job board with AI matching technology.

Over 1,200 placements have been made since April 2021

Average age of participants is 26

Girl Guides of Canada Is Helping Girls Be Catalysts for Change Through connection and skill-building in a safe environment, Girl Guides empowers young girls with a strong foundation to become tomorrow’s leaders.

Claire Plouffe Youth Member, Girl Guides of Canada

Dr. Michelle Quaye Board Director, Chair, National Youth Council, Girl Guides of Canada

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or the past 100-plus years Girl Guides of Canada (GGC) has provided girls aged 5 to 17 with new experiences, skills, and challenges to help them use their unique talents to build a better world by girls.

Guiding provides a safe, all-girl environment for girls to challenge themselves, find their voice, earn badges, meet new friends, have fun, and make a difference in the world. Through a unique, volunteer-run program, girls are encouraged to build life skills in areas such as the outdoors, financial literacy, mental health, and advocacy.

GGC encourages girls to be everything they want to be. Seven-

year-old Claire Plouffe of Ajax started her Girl Guides journey young. She and her older sister were encouraged to join Girl Guides by their mother, Colleen, a former Girl Guide and now volunteer.

Since becoming a Spark two years ago, Claire has enjoyed the weekly meetings and group activities such as singing silly songs together, gardening, learning basic camping and outdoor survival skills, and some fun crafts, which are her favourite. “I’ve earned 13 badges so far and plan to earn more,” she says.

Girls who didn’t start young can start now and benefit from the connection, skill-building, and leadership development opportunities that GGC provides. During the

pandemic, these skills are more relevant than ever. “I’ve seen the harmful effects this pandemic has had on our communities and how women and girls can make a difference,” says Dr. Michelle Quaye, a former Girl Guide and now Board Director, Chair of the National Youth Council for GGC. “Girl Guides provides an opportunity for them to connect, dream, and try to implement changes that will make our communities better places.”

With outstanding female role models to champion their skills and talents, all experiences reflect the organization’s vision of “a better world, by girls,” where girls can create a future for themselves and be catalysts for change.

Join now. For more information, visit girlguides. ca/join.

This article was supported by

Finding a Part-Time Job for Your Teen Is an Investment in Their Future What's an impactful way to make an investment in Canada’s youth? A part-time job. McDonald’s Canada and its franchisees offer this opportunity every day and are always looking for new hires to join their respective teams.

A Stephanie Hardman Chief People Officer, McDonald's Canada

ccording to a University of British Colu mbia (U BC) Sauder School of Business study, youth who work parttime or during the summer gain a competitive advantage over their non-working peers. While working, they learn valuable skills and how to manage multiple priorities and responsibilities, which leads to better jobs and higher earning power later in life.

These findings aren't surprising to Stephanie Hardman, Chief People Officer at McDonald’s Canada. “A first job is where youth acquire many of the foundational skills that'll set them up for success later in life,” she says. “Managing guests, money,

logistics, and operations all serve to build a skill set that a young person can gain with a job at McDonald’s.”

McDonald’s Canada also believes that it’s important that youth have flexibility so they can find balance between school, sports, community work, and a job. “A stable part-time job should fit into those life activities as opposed to making everything else fit around work,” notes Hardman.

A safe and inclusive place to work McDona ld’s recently launched new global brand standards that demonstrate an ongoing commitment to a safe and inclusive workplace for its employees. Diversity, equity, inclusion,

and a commitment to a respectful work environment continue to be top priorities. “We want parents to know that McDonald’s is a safe and inclusive place to work,” says Hardman. This was made even more important this past year with the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure the safety of guests and crew, McDonald’s and its franchisees introduced enhanced Safety+ measures in all of its restaurants.

Safety+ includes PPE, new safety procedures to limit contact, and more.

McDonald’s has proudly been a first job for many Canadians. And they're always looking for individuals who want to learn and build their skill set while working in a safe, inclusive, and fun environment.

To find out more, visit mcdonalds.ca/ careers.

This article was sponsored by McDonald's Canada.

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Christina Green Small Vessel Operator & Guardian for the Kwakwaka'wakw

Shaelyn Jordan Graduate of the Adult Anishinaabemowin Revitalization Program, Seven Generations Education Institute

Jessica Winters Conservationist & Graduate of Indigenous Clean Energy's 20/20 Catalysts Program

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The Future Is in Good Hands: How Indigenous Youth Are Building a Better Tomorrow The rapidly-growing young Indigenous population in Canada is the country’s most potent hope for a better future for everyone. Given the opportunity, Indigenous youth will build a better tomorrow, on their own terms.

I

ndigenous youth are the key to strong, healthy Indigenous Nations and a better future for everyone.

Indigenous youth are the fastest-growing population in the country, with numbers increasing at four times the rate of non-Indigenous groups.

Unfortunately, Canada’s systems and structures have failed Indigenous peoples for generations. It’s time for these systems to be transformed.

Indigenous young people demand better and deserve better. But they’re not asking for new structures or systems to be built for them — only for the tools, resources, and space to build them. They have their own ideas.

Grounded in the Anishinaabe concept of Mino Bimaadiziwin — “to live a good life,”— the Mastercard Foundation has created the EleV program, now in its fourth year of operation. It’s an initiative founded on a commitment to support and empower Indigenous youth in their aspirations towards their own vision of education and employment systems that embrace Indigenous peoples, values and cultures. EleV suppor t s t hese Indigenous-led transformative approaches and will highlight them to show that innovation and success are not only possible, but already happening. We can all learn from these new approaches in working towards systems change.

Indigenous voices at the helm "On the land" learning is an important part of teaching and learning for Indigenous peoples, and yet it's not being utilized in many education institutions.

In British Columbia, the EleV program is partnered with Vancouver Island University. The partnership includes the university's relational land-based learning cohort programs. These courses and certificates reach Indigenous youth on the land and in their communities.

They bring the resources of a large mainstream educational institution to bear in a First Nations-led curriculum dedicated to preserving, safeguarding, and guiding Indigenous resources.

Christina Green of Campbell River is a small vessel operator, a guardian for her Kwakwaka'wakw people, and a graduate of one of these programs — the First Nations Stewardship Technicians Training Program. She recalls a sense of wonder at the environment the program has created. “It was so much more than I had anticipated,” Green says. “It was honestly my first ever enjoyable academic experience. It was a big awakening to the fact that I've been truly blessed with opportunities to learn our culture and live within it. My upbringing was very rooted in our culture and I realized in meeting others in the program that not all of the people that come from the Kwakwaka'wakw have had that opportunity.”

D.F. McCourt

With the legacy of the residential schools and Indian day schools still a living memory in Green’s family, she recognizes fully the importance of decolonizing, transforming, and Indigenizing education. “It’s so powerful, the idea of bringing First Nations people together in an academic setting, in ways we've never seen in our history," she says. "I think that was something that my generation had been craving.”

A future that celebrates Indigenous values Indigenous youth of Green’s generation are seizing the moment and meeting their Nations’ present head on.

They're taking advantage of educational opportunities and emerging careers to shape the future in their own image.

Clean energy is a growing sector that connects to traditional values for many Indigenous youth. Jessica Winters, of the Inuit region of Nunatsiavut in Labrador, is a lifelong conservationist and a graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland. Having already, at a young age, worked as a regional youth strategy facilitator in Inuit com mun it ie s and as a project scientist studying marine mammals with JASCO Applied Sciences, Winters is now focused on transforming the energy landscape of her home communities as Community Energy Lead for Nunatsiavut. She came into this position as an alumna of Indigenous Clean Energy’s 20/20 Catalysts Program, supported by the EleV program.

“The thing I enjoy most about my job is understanding the possibilities for renewable energy in Nunatsiavut and thinking about how it might look in the future,” Winters says. “I feel important and valued to be doing this work for Nunatsiavut communities. I hope that more youth will get involved in clean energy because we need to prepare for a sustainable future. Relying completely on diesel in Nunatsiavut doesn’t fit in with our ideals as Inuit.”

innovative approaches to language retention and promotion. Jordan grew up in a home with four generations of Anishinaabemowin speakers, and was fluent in the language as a child. But, like so many of her contemporaries, as her grandparents and great-grandparents passed, opportunities to maintain a strong connection to her language grew limited, leaving her feeling untethered without knowing why.

“I found myself very distant from the language after my great-grandmother passed,” Jordan recalls. “I always felt that a connection was missing until I started attending ceremonies and sweat lodges. I was so amazed by what I saw and learned in the sweat lodge.

I can’t even put into words how powerful it was. About two weeks after my final ceremony for my physical and spiritual healing, I saw a posting about the Anishinaabe revitalization program and it felt like a sign to me specifically. I applied right away.”

I always felt that a connection was missing until I started attending ceremonies and sweat lodges. I was so amazed by what I saw and learned in the sweat lodge. I can't even put into words how powerful it was.

Connecting to yesterday to shape tomorrow While Winters is pushing the branches of Indigenous ideals into Labrador’s future, in Ontario, Shaelyn Jordan is tending the roots that tie her own Anishinaabe identity back to her people’s legacy. Many Indigenous languages in Canada are under threat of disappearing, and action is needed to ensure that they survive and thrive.

Language is central and critical to identity and cultural continuity.

There must be support for unique and

The program Jordan applied to is the Adult Anishinaabemowin Revitalization program at Seven Generations Education Institute, a program supported by the EleV Program. As a graduate of the program, Jordan is now looking to become a language instructor herself and to provide stewardship in the tongue for the next generation. "No matter what was done to take our language and culture away from us, we still have it, and we're bringing it back," Jordan says. "I know that my grandparents and great-grandparents would be so happy to see that."

Between all these programs and more, the generations that came before and the generations yet to come can rest assured that the future is in good hands with the generation that is here today. When provided with the tools, resources, and the space, today's Indigenous youth are ready, willing, and capable of transforming broken systems through bold solutions founded in their values, visions, and aspirations.

To learn more about how the EleV Program is elevating Indigenous voices, ideas, and aspirations, visit mastercardfdn. org/all/elev.

This article was sponsored

by Mastercard Foundation.

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Getting Girls’ Rights on the Global Agenda This past year, Plan International Canada Youth Advocates Jennifer Wani and Katherine Dibbon have refused to pause their advocacy work on global gender equality — despite the pandemic and all its challenges.

Thanks to a year of virtual advocacy and hard work, they've helped ensure that the unique needs of adolescent girls are on Canada’s agenda at the upcoming UN Generation Equality Forum in Paris. They've connected with federal ministers, led critical events and provided feedback to global leaders — all from home. nifer Wani Jen

Ka

ine Dibb th e r on

As a member of the Canadian delegation to the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) this year, how did you maintain your energy and passion for driving change despite not being able to gather in person for these big, global moments?

You had the opportunity to push forward the feminist global agenda through the Generation Equality Youth Task Force. How was the experience and why is it so important for youth advocates to be invited by global leaders to decision-making tables?

Not being able to attend the event was initially disappointing.

However, I realized that gathering in person at events like the CSW shouldn’t be the metric that I use to measure my commitment to social justice. The pandemic has shown the continuously growing gap of inequality in our local and global communities. It's this reality that continues to ignite my passion for social justice. Our world is constantly changing, so as an activist I strive to constantly learn and adapt — this is the only way we can bring our communities closer to justice.

Youth stand ready and united to take the lead. These events showed me that collective action by youth is already changing things for the better. Youth are deeply impacted by the decisions that leaders make, yet often disregarded in important discussions. Political leaders and policymakers need to hear from us. And guess what? We're more likely to fight for goals that we've had a role in crafting.

To get involved with Plan International Canada, visit plancanada. ca/youthopportunities.

This article was sponsored

by Plan International Canada.

How Teachers and Students Brought Community Into Their Virtual Classrooms

S Lauren Pragg Manager, Communications & Stakeholder Relations, Youth & Philanthropy Initiative Canada

aying it’s been a tough year for teachers and students is an understatement. This is a generation-defining time, with young people among the hardest hit by the closures and isolation. Educators continue to exceed expectations in supporting their students to stay engaged and feel connected, while also navigating the challenges of the pandemic.

Through flexibility and creativity, and with the support of community partnerships, teachers have found meaningful ways to support and promote the empowerment of students through connections with each

other and the curriculum, and inclusion in their communities’ real-time responses to COVID-19.

The impact of COVID The charities and non-profits that regularly serve youth and their communities with issues ranging from gender-based violence, LGBTQ2S support, and anti-racism, to housing, food security, and mental health are facing both increasing demand for services and decreasing donations. According to Imagine Canada, 16 percent of charities believe that they'll have to cease operations within the year if trends continue.

This year alone over 13,000 young people spoke up in solidarity with local charities through the virtual version of Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) Canada's youth-led grant-making program. Thanks to their dedication, research, and advocacy, $500,000 was granted to local charities. “This is one of the most motivating activities my students have ever had the chance to participate in,” says Martin Aller-Stead, a teacher facilitating YPI in Toronto.

Thank you, students and teachers, for bringing community into your virtual classrooms. We’re excited to work alongside you in 2021 and 2022!

If you’d like to enrol your school in YPI, learn more at goypi.org.

This article was sponsored

by Youth and Philanthropy Initiative Canada.

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How Students Are Shaping a Bright Future for Canada's Electricity Sector Melissa Vekil

C

Gabrielle Froese Third-Year Student of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia

Larry Gibbons Chief Human Resources Officer, Kinectrics

anada's energy landscape is rapidly changing, all in the interest of becoming greener and cleaner.

This exciting shift also means a high demand for new workers in the electricity sector: there are thousands of jobs available each year to replace retiring workers and support continued growth.

Working in electricity helps both people and the environment. Electricity is essential to the daily lives of Canadians, and our grid is overwhelmingly supplied by clean energy sources.

Continuous innovation and application of clean energy technology are critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting our planet.

If fighting against climate change isn’t enough, working in electricity also offers great job security. Layoffs are few and far between, and the skills you gain will always be in high demand.

The sector is also incredibly rewarding when it comes to compensation, with average annual salaries at roughly $80,000. There's also a huge variety of roles, including environmental analysts, computer specialists, solar installers, engineers of many fields, and all kinds of organizational administration roles.

Empowering the future generation Electricity Human Resources Canada’s (EHRC) Empowering Futures student wage subsidy program helps students across the country build skills and gain

career experience. By providing wage subsidies of up to $7,500 for work-integrated learning positions like co-ops and paid internships to employers, Empowering Futures creates opportunities for next-generation talent to start building their careers today. The program includes a variety of training and learning materials to complement the skills learned on the job.

Gabrielle Froese is a third-year student of Mechanical Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC).

Earlier this year, she began specializing in the mechatronics program.

“I always liked building things and figuring out how things worked, and mechatronics is a nice combination of mechanical and electrical,” Froese says. “It really equips you with a wide variety of skills.”

As part of her program, Froese secured a four-month long co-op position to apply her classroom learning in the workplace. At UBC’s Mechanical Engineering Department, she worked as a research assistant on a floating offshore wind turbine project.

Froese enjoyed the academic work so much that when she wanted to continue her work in a practical way, Empowering Futures funded her work on the project.

“I learned about academic research and gained valuable life skills like learning how to manage my workload and working independently,” says Froese.

Benefits for businesses Empowering Futures benefits companies by allowing them to bring in students with cutting-edge knowledge. What’s more, engaging students in innovative projects can spark lasting professional relationships and build a pipeline of top talent who will be keen to return when their studies are complete.

Kinectrics Inc. is one of Canada’s leading providers of innovative science and engineering services, employing more than 1,000 engineers, scientists, and technologists. As a growing business, Kinectrics understands the need to support the development of students who are the workforce of the future. The company connected with EHRC to help achieve that goal.

Larry Gibbons, Chief Human Resources Officer at Kinectrics, says, “The Empowering Futures program not only funds new student hires, it also provides the opportunity to tap into a pool of talented students that are potential future employees. It has also helped us connect with educational institutions, onboarding the next cohort of electricity workers.”

Co-op students can expect to receive practical work experience, the ability to network with leading industry experts, the opportunity to explore future career options, and the possibility of full-time employment after graduation.

Whether you’re a student looking for a great career opportunity or an employer seeking the best that the next generation has to offer, visit electricityhr.ca to find out more about how Empowering Futures can work for you.

This article was sponsored

by Electricity Human Resources Canada.