Skills Clubs are extracurricular trade and technology skills workshops geared for high school students and youth.

As Skills Canada Yukon works to fulfill its mission of promoting trade and technology careers as first choice options, the youth reached by this message need higher technical training. Many of the career areas we promote are offered only at a basic level in secondary schools throughout the Yukon, and some are not taught at all.

Many youth have the desire and capability to participate in vocational training before they reach college age, but find that this is not a readily available option to them. Skills Clubs assist the Yukon education system in offering this opportunity to students of the Yukon. Skills Canada has the necessary resources (both personnel and equipment) to offer higher end training in vocational skills. Furthermore, as a non-governmental organization, Skills Canada is well-positioned to facilitate training partnerships between industry and education.

Skills Clubs are run by skilled teachers and industry professionals who have volunteered to coach students in a particular trade or technology. Skills Canada Yukon assists financially and administratively to promote the efforts of both the coach and students.

Skills Clubs are structured in such a way that they provide enhanced educational opportunities for youth who have the desire to pursue an interest in vocational skills. In many cases, these opportunities are not available to them through the traditional academic curriculum offered at secondary schools. Conflicts in scheduling and the pressure to enroll in academic courses create barriers to many students wanting to pursue vocational training.

Since their inception in 1999, Skills Clubs have significantly helped Yukon youth develop skills that will assist in their school-to-work transition. Ultimately, our goal with skills clubs is to create opportunities for youth to learn and apply advanced technical skills that could lead to potential employment opportunities.

What will Skills Clubs do for the students?

• Allow them access to industry-level skills training that could lead to employment opportunities.
• Provide networking opportunities through the direct introduction to industry leaders, while receiving instruction and participating in competitions.
• Increase students' self-esteem by supporting their interests and showcasing their accomplishments.
• Give students the skills needed to compete on a territorial and national level, both in the job market and in competitions.

What will Skills Clubs do for the schools?

• Make available significant financial support for extracurricular initiatives in the trades and technology sector.
• Provide the opportunity to showcase students' accomplishments.
• Promote trade and technology education initiatives throughout the Yukon and Canada.
• Offer support to educators through Skills Canada Yukon industry connections.
• Provide professional development opportunities to educators.

What will Skills Clubs do for the community?

• Develop a labour pool of young workers with the skills that industry needs.
• Promote trade and technical careers to secondary students.
• Provide the opportunity to market skills as a tangible opportunity.
• Raise the technical level of Team Yukon.