Empowering refugee youth: New report highlights employment pathways for refugee youth in Nova Scotia

December 4, 2025 (KJIPUKTUK/ Halifax): Refugee and immigrant youth are playing an increasingly vital role in Nova Scotia’s workforce and communities. Recognizing this, Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) in partnership with the Atlantic Region Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (ARAISA), has released a new report titled: Employment Programs for Refugee Youth: A Practical Framework to Overcome Employment Barriers.

Funded by the Future Skills Centre through the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Program, the report highlights the vital role refugee youth play in Nova Scotia’s economic and social fabric, while outlining key strategies to support their successful entry and retention in the labour market.

“Refugee youth are a distinct group of newcomers who bring talent, determination, and optimism to our communities. By investing in targeted employment supports, we can create opportunities, build confidence, and contribute to the skilled workforce our province needs to flourish”, said Paula Knight, CEO of ISANS. “This report reinforces what we see every day. When we create significant employment pathways for refugee and immigrant youth, we are not only changing individual lives we are strengthening the fabric of our communities and the future of Nova Scotia’s workforce”.

The report finds that while many newcomers face challenges entering the labour market, refugee youth often encounter multiple, intersecting barriers related to their age, language, and immigration experience. At the same time, their successful integration offers significant benefits not only for their own livelihoods, but also for Nova Scotia’s long-term economic growth and community vitality.

“This report demonstrates the vital relationship between settlement services, newcomer success, and regional growth. By connecting youth with jobs that match their aptitudes and interests, employment programs like Immigrant Youth Employability Program (IYEP) and Immigrant Youth Career Exploration Project (IYCEP) help youth to build confidence and grow their social networks while improving language and professional skills. These programs also bridge young, talented people into the provincial labour force, which creates more inclusive and welcoming workplaces. Together, newcomer talent and workplace inclusion benefits employers, employees, and communities while building economic and social resilience within the Atlantic region”, said Carolyn Whiteway, Executive Director of ARAISA.

Research conducted through this project included interviews and focus groups with refugee youth and employers across Nova Scotia. The findings emphasize that employment programs are essential for fostering inclusion and integration helping youth gain skills, confidence, and social connections, while supporting employers to build more diverse and welcoming workplaces.

As part of the project, ISANS conducted and recorded 29 interviews with current and former youth clients, five employer interviews, and supported two focus groups with 11 participants. ISANS also helped recruit youth for an advisory committee that met throughout the summer, and hosted ARAISA project staff to observe youth employment programs in action.

Since 2017, ISANS’ Immigrant Youth Employability Program (IYEP) and Immigrant Youth Career Exploration Project (IYCEP) have supported over 375 refugee youth to explore career pathways, gain Canadian work experience, and develop essential skills for long-term success. These initiatives, funded by Employment and Social Development Canada and the Nova Scotia Department of Opportunities and Social Development, continue to demonstrate the importance of collaboration between employers, educators, and settlement organizations.

The report underscores that workforce inclusion for refugee youth is both a social and economic imperative. By addressing barriers, investing in training, and promoting inclusive employment practices, Nova Scotia can ensure that all young newcomers have the opportunity to contribute to and share in the province’s prosperity.

For more information, visit isans.ca.