Becoming A Member

We sit at the heart of a growing provincial network of members and industry partners, who are based throughout Ontario. They support the needs of young employment seekers across the province.

Our work enables our provincial network of organizations working with young people to strengthen and develop new programming and services for a diverse set of needs. We are youth employment providers, employment training centres, community-based providers, industry specialists, youth and workforce directed research teams, educators, businesses supporting youth employment, and affiliates who are looking to change the youth employment landscape.

Since 1988, our network of over 70 youth employment agencies have been committed to delivering accessible, high quality, outcomes-based employment services to young people to assist them in reaching their employment and life goals.

First Work members are unique in many ways – from joint focus on engaging vulnerable youth populations to our multi-sector partnerships, to our delivery in the most remote parts of Ontario with limited resources, our membership proudly ensures that youth are given quality services to help them achieve meaningful employment.

First Work has continued to evolve over the past decades to remain relevant and to meet the needs of youth and the sector. We value the effort of our membership and the leadership they provide in youth workforce development.

 

 

Strategic Membership

Those eligible for Strategic Membership include:

  1. Non-Profits
  2. “Community-Based” Organizations (non-legislated)
  3. Those who are delivering services to youth

Benefits of Strategic Membership include:

  1. Voting rights at Annual General Meeting and eligibility for Board seats
  2. Input to and influence of Government Relations that affect youth employment
  3. Input to and influence of Strategic Communications that affect youth employment
  4. Influence on and ability to participate in Professional Development Opportunities (e.g., conferences, webinars, certifications)
  5. Participation at Regional Meetings
  6. Discounted membership rates to Professional Development Opportunities

Stakeholder Membership – Category 1

  1. Those eligible for Stakeholder Membership – Category 1 include:
  2. Legislated Non-Profit Groups (e.g. Colleges, Municipalities)
  3. Organizations involved in delivering Youth Employment Projects (Skills Link operators, United Way, Foundations)
  4. Other Non-Profits* (organizations that don’t deliver direct service such as, Workforce Development Boards, LEPCs, Social Enterprises)

Benefits of Stakeholder Membership include:

  1. Input to Government Relations that affect youth employment
  2. Input to Strategic Communications that affect youth employment
  3. Access to Professional Development activities (e.g., conferences)
  4. Receipt of FW communications, publications & member updates
  5. Invitation to Regional tables – no voting rights

Stakeholder Membership – Category 2

  1. Those eligible for Stakeholder Membership – Category 2 include:
  2. For profit organizations with direct link to youth employment programs (e.g. For-profit service deliverers)
  3. Corporate entities interested in partnership for youth workforce development (e.g. RBC, Rogers, BDC etc.)
  4. Set fee of $1500.00

Benefits of Stakeholder Membership include:

  1. Input to Government Relations that affect youth employment
  2. Input to Strategic Communications that affect youth employment
  3. Access to Professional Development activities (e.g. conferences)
  4. Receipt of FW communications, publications & member updates

Individual Membership

Those eligible include:

  1. Career professionals in private practice
  2. Students in related disciplines.

Benefits of Membership include:

  1. Access to Professional Development activities (e.g. conferences)
  2. Receipt of FW communications, publications & member updates

Membership Fees

Membership Category  Defining Factor  Annual Fee 
Strategic Membership – Tier 1  Annual Operating Budget > $1M  $1,500  
Strategic Membership – Tier 2  Annual Operating Budget $500K – $1M  $1,200  
Strategic Membership – Tier 3  Annual Operating Budget </= $500K  $900  
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Stakeholder Membership – Category 1  Legislated Non-Profit Groups; Organizations involved in delivering Youth Employment Projects; Other Non-Profits that do not deliver direct services  $1,000  
Stakeholder Membership – Category 2  For profit organizations with direct link to youth employment programs; Corporates looking to partner for youth workforce development  $1,500  
——————————————————   —————————————————— ———
Individual Members  Career professionals in private practice; Students in related disciplines.  $500  
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