Resources and Practices for Engaging Opportunity Youth in Career Development
This project explores the best ways to engage students who are disconnected from school and at risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment, or training) in career development. The right support at the right time can reengage students and positively shape their career paths. Yet career development professionals face two major challenges: first, it is often challenging to reach young people who are disconnected from school and not inclined to seek support; and second, when they do reach this population, they may not know what supportive career guidance practices are most impactful.
To address these challenges, the project combines a literature review and environmental scan that identifies promising programs and practices and a survey of 500 school guidance counsellors across Canada that gathers insight on both barriers to engagement and best practices in working with opportunity youth. Together, these sources highlight obstacles to engagement and uncover practical strategies for supporting opportunity youth. The mission of the project is to find tangible ways to reach and engage this population, understand what practices and tools can motivate them to engage in career planning, and learn what further resources are needed to support career counselling practices.
Project Details
Capability: Survey Design and Data Management - Policy Research - Knowledge Mobilization/ Workshop Facilitation - Strengthening Capacity
Policy Area: Career Development and LMI, Employment - Employment Supports and Services, P-12 Education - Academic Engagement, Youth Development and Inclusion
Population: Youth
Start Date: December 2025
Completion Date: February 2027
Sponsors: CERIC
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