Build THE FUTURE with YOUNG CANADIANS
No-added-cost talent pipelines for businesses; real-world experience for young Canadians
WHO WE ARE
Youth unemployment in Canada is at a 15-year high, while AI is transforming the future of work faster than ever before. Canada is facing a generational workforce challenge that cannot be solved with yesterday’s solutions.
Founded in November 2025, CanWorks is a workforce development nonprofit. We want to be part of the new solution.
Our goal is simple: create the shortest path from the classroom to real-world experience for young Canadians while helping underserved employers connect with skilled, motivated emerging talent. We believe that requires three things:
- Real-world experience instead of simulations
- Mentors with current industry expertise, networks, and labor market insights
- Programs shaped by the voices of students themselves
.png/:/rs=w:400,cg:true,m)
OUR APPROACH
THE THREE-LEGGED STOOL
The future of work rests on a three-legged stool.
We equip post-secondary students and recent graduates with real-world work experience, professional networks, and labor market intelligence while helping SMEs, non-profits, and government organizations discover and develop emerging talent.
POWERED BY STUDENTS, EMPOWERING STUDENTS
We are a student-powered organization. We don’t build the future for young Canadians—
we build it with them—to respond swiftly to the challenges they face today.
JUNE NETWORKING EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
OUTCOME IN OUR FIRST 6 MONTHS
30+ real life work experience opportunities
400+ professional connections from a high mentor-to-student ratio In-Person Networking Event
400+ professional connections from a high mentor-to-student ratio In-Person Networking Event
400+ professional connections from a high mentor-to-student ratio In-Person Networking Event
400+ professional connections from a high mentor-to-student ratio In-Person Networking Event
400+ professional connections from a high mentor-to-student ratio In-Person Networking Event
Research of 10 Canada's fast-growing occupations to support career decision making
MVP OF 1 TOOL (PATHFINDER) connecting underserved employers with young Canadians
CANADIAN LABOUR MAREKET CONTEXT
Youth unemployment remains historically high, consistently in the double digits.
Labour market information is opaque, preventing Canadians from making informed career decisions.
Labour market information is opaque, preventing Canadians from making informed career decisions.
Labour market information is opaque, preventing Canadians from making informed career decisions.
Labour market information is opaque, preventing Canadians from making informed career decisions.
Labour market information is opaque, preventing Canadians from making informed career decisions.
Career supports exist but remain fragmented or invisible to students and new graduates.
Labour market information is opaque, preventing Canadians from making informed career decisions.
Employers report skills gaps while governments recruit talent abroad despite a highly educated youth
Employers report skills gaps while governments recruit talent abroad despite a highly educated youth
Lean employers lack the HR infrastructure to hire and train, slowing hiring and scaling.
Employers report skills gaps while governments recruit talent abroad despite a highly educated youth
Canada’s long-term economic resilience depends on building a skilled, adaptable next generation.