woman with hardhat using estimator with a man and windmill in background

Youth

Start here. Explore new careers, education and funding available in B.C. Find a job or start a business. We’re here to help.

Introduction

Check out job possibilities and career-building strategies using the websites and services here:

  • Pursue post-secondary education.
  • Get funding for your education.
  • Gain work experience and job skills.
  • Create or expand your own business.

Career exploration

Explore new careers through videos and profiles. Find out about the education and skills needed.

Career Discovery Quizzes — Take one or more quizzes to help you explore your career direction.

Career Trek — Watch over 170 videos of people in a variety of jobs throughout B.C.

B.C.'s High Opportunity Occupations — Check out the top jobs in demand in B.C.

WorkBC Career Profiles — Find details on jobs that could be perfect for you, including salary, duties, education and expected demand.

WorkBC Parents' Guide — Are you a parent? Help your teen explore and decide on career and education with the practical ideas and resources in this guide.

Discover the right trade for you  — Take a quick, fun quiz to explore the best skilled trades for you.

Achieve Anything Foundation — Learn about opportunities for girls and women in aviation, aerospace, marine, defence and other STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields through hands-on events. Apply to attend Operation: This IS you! events sponsored by organizations like the Vancouver Police, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, and Canadian Coast Guard. Learn about The Sky’s No Limit – Girls Fly Too! annual event.

Education / skills

Education opens doors to finding a job. Get information on the job skills that are in demand:

EducationPlannerBC — Search for post-secondary education programs by interest, subject, type of credential or institution.

Find Your Path — Find Your Path is a personalized, interactive education and career planning tool. Explore, save and share your selections all in one place.

Upgrading — Planning to upgrade or finish high school level courses to prepare for post-secondary training or education? Find a post-secondary institution or school near you that offers upgrading courses.

Co-operative Education Programs — View B.C. co-op education programs by institution or program type, find contacts and learn about academic and work terms.

Youth in Trades Programs  — SkilledTradesBC Youth Trade Programs let you get started in a trade while you’re still in high school. 

Trades Training BC — Explore trades programs, learn about apprenticeships and entry-level training, and use the BC Trades Training Seat Finder to identify openings you could apply for.

Student Aid BC — Find out how to fund your post-secondary education through student loans, grants and scholarships, and learn about programs that help with loan repayment.

Tech Training — NPower Canada offers free programs and certifications for job seekers looking for a career in the tech industry.

Are you starting your post-secondary journey?

  • Changing location.
  • Living on your own.
  • Facing new academic challenges.
  • Juggling school and work demands.
  • Managing your money.

The guide From Surviving to Thriving: Developing Personal and Academic Resilience (PDF) gives you resources, checklists, worksheets, a coping strategies planner, and a choice of four strategies for managing stressful situations.

From Surviving to Thriving can help you prepare for challenges and pressures that may arise. The guide will help you identify your personal strengths and develop strategies to manage stress, address challenges and reduce worry and fear. Know when and where to ask for help, and build a network of people for mutual support.

Find a job

Finding a job takes work. Get a head start with these resources:

Skills Training for Employment – Young Adults General — Check out a program that offers skills training and employment support. Overcome barriers to employment through, for example, counselling, mentoring, child care, transportation, disability supports, work experience, wage subsidies and equipment.

Skills Training for Employment – Young Adults at Risk — Are you a current or former youth in care or someone with a barrier to employment—unstable housing, incomplete high school, recovering from addiction, mental health challenges or prior criminal justice involvement? Find out if this program can help you become employment ready through skills training and support.

WorkBC Employment Services — Access support in your job search at your local WorkBC Centre. Use the interactive map to find a WorkBC Centre in your area.

Training for Indigenous Peoples — Find Government of Canada programs for gaining experience through internship, summer employment and other work/training opportunities.

BladeRunners Program — Discover this program that helps unemployed, at-risk youth prepare for and find employment.

WorkBC Job Search — Search thousands of job postings throughout B.C. by industry, salary, region and more.

Find Jobs — Learn skills that will help you draw attention in the job market: write a resume that stands out; ace your interviews; boost your networking skills; and tap social media in your job search.

Resources for Young Workers — If you’re already working, find guides, videos and other resources from WorkSafeBC that will help you avoid workplace injuries.

Start a business

Does working for yourself sound like you? If you’ve got the drive, get started with information and resources for young entrepreneurs.

Futurpreneur Canada — Discover financing, mentoring and support tools for aspiring business owners aged 18 to 39.

Young Entrepreneur — Find out about loans, practical business advice and other resources from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).

Success stories

Watch videos or read about how others launched careers in trades.

Work BC logo with success stories underneath

Nicolle: Apprentice Cook

See how Nicolle tried a Trades Exploration program before settling on the culinary arts program that inspired her.

Work BC logo with success stories underneath

Heidi: ITA Youth

Watch Heidi’s story and learn how she became a baking apprentice through ITA Youth.

walkway leading out to a lake in the interior of BC

Michael Carpenter-Newmark: At the Heart of Innovation

Learn how a combination of community support and self-exploration helped Michael discover his post-secondary education goals.

Body

Watch more ITA Youth success stories for the Explore, Train, and Work programs.

Additional youth resources

Find information and support services that can help you address challenges and achieve your goals.

Foundry — Find health and social services information, resources and programs for youth at Foundry centres across the province. Visit foundrybc.ca for a comprehensive list of other community mental health services, including phone and online chat resources, and online tools for youth.

MindHealthBC — Find information and resources for dealing with depression, anxiety, and other matters of mental health or substance use. Take a quiz and get recommendations for support, ranging from online information at Mindhealthbc.ca and interactive self-help programs to local in-person services.