Co-Designing Employment Journeys with Refugee Youth: the Youth in Design Project

In 2023, World Education Services (WES) embarked on a groundbreaking pilot initiative, collaborating with refugee youth across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Join us for this conversation on transformative collaboration as we unpack the insights from the Youth in Design Pilot.

According to WES’ 2023 report on Immigrant Youth in Canada’s Labour Market, many programs that aim to help refugee youth in their employment journeys are struggling to meet their targets and achieve their intended impact. To address this gap, WES joined forces with refugee youth and the organizations that support them to provide youth with the knowledge, skills, and tools to amplify their voices and ensure their meaningful involvement in co-designing new programs.

In this webinar, we will explore the importance of employing an authentic co-design approach when working with refugee youth, ensuring resonance with their unique experiences. We will also discuss the significance of skill enhancement before participation in the co-design process, contributing to more effective and impactful collaboration, as well as how the design of the pilot was informed by the equitable partnership framework, emphasizing fairness and inclusivity. Together, our panel will share strategies for supporting a flexible and adaptive design process that remains responsive to the evolving needs of participants.

Join us for an engaging discussion about the learnings from Youth in Design Pilot, highlighting the power of inclusive co-design in shaping more effective, impactful, and inclusive programs.