Explore First Work's power of collective advancement through our membership.
First Work members are unique in many ways – from a joint-focus on engaging vulnerable youth populations and our multi-sector partnerships, to delivery in the most remote parts of Ontario with limited resources, our membership proudly ensures that youth across the province are given quality services to help them achieve meaningful employment.
Our members serve a wide variety of populations, with the majority being focused on youth-employment service delivery, but also including seniors, immigrants and refugees, and Indigenous communities.
Why Be a Member
First Work sits at the heart of a growing provincial network of members and industry partners, based throughout Ontario, working together to support the needs of young jobseekers across the province.
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.
Established in 1988, First Work has continued to evolve over the past decades to remain innovative and nimble to meet the needs of youth and the sector. Together with our members, we are committed to delivering accessible, high-quality, outcomes-based employment services to young people to support their employment and life goals.
Benefits
First Work members benefit from:
Knowledge exchange: By joining our network, you are connected to the over 80 agency members, their staff, and the various partnerships First Work holds.
Resources: First Work regularly publishes reports including findings from our research initiatives, advocacy products for youth employment, and sector-relevant information on our member’s only access portal.
Professional Development: From networking events to professional development conferences, and sector leadership summits to training and government advocacy, First Work ensures our members stay relevant, well informed and have their concerns highlighted to influential stakeholders, including government.
Forge Partnerships: First Work facilitates the development of effective public and private sector partnerships with our members to enhance youth employability outcomes.
Sector Relevant Content: Weekly Member Updates to our membership community helps to stay connected and in-the-know for government policy changes, funding opportunities, and key sector insights.
Strategic Members
- Non-Profits
- “Community-Based” Organizations (non-legislated)
- Those who are delivering services to youth
- Voting rights at Annual General Meeting and eligibility for Board seats
- Input to and influence of Government Relations that affect youth employment
- Input to and influence of Strategic Communications that affect youth employment
- Influence on and ability to participate in Professional Development Opportunities (e.g., conferences, webinars, certifications)
- Participation at Regional Meetings
- Discounted membership rates to Professional Development Opportunities
Stakeholder Membership
- Legislated Non-Profit Groups (e.g. Colleges, Municipalities)
- Organizations involved in delivering Youth Employment Projects (Skills Link operators, United Way, Foundations)
- Other Non-Profits* (organizations that don’t deliver direct service such as, Workforce Development Boards, LEPCs, Social Enterprises)
- Input to Government Relations that affect youth employment
- Input to Strategic Communications that affect youth employment
- Access to Professional Development activities (e.g., conferences)
- Receipt of FW communications, publications & member updates
- Invitation to Regional tables – no voting rights
- For profit organizations with direct link to youth employment programs (e.g. For-profit service deliverers)
- Corporate entities interested in partnership for youth workforce development (e.g. RBC, Rogers, BDC etc.)
- Receipt of FW communications, publications & member updates
- Career professionals in private practice
- Students in related disciplines.
- Access to Professional Development activities (e.g. conferences)
- Receipt of FW communications, publications & member updates
