Youth Employment & Social Services Program (YESS)

youth women in trades employment program (yesS)

The Youth Women into Trades Employment Program (YESS) is a fully funded 16-week program designed to empower young women aged 15–30 by equipping them with essential skills, training, and hands-on experience in the trades industry. This program is specifically designed to support women facing barriers to employment by providing them with education, practical skills, and access to job opportunities in the construction and skilled trades sector.

Why Choose YESS?

100% Fully Funded Training
Hands-on Experience in Various Trades
Industry-Recognized Safety Certifications
Job Readiness Support & Employer Networking
Transportation & Attendance Allowance
Completion Bonus for Successful Graduates

Prior to Acceptance:

English Language Proficiency Requirements

Provide verified results for one of the English language proficiency tests listed below. Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program.

Name of English language assessment/test		Minimum score(s)/level(s)*
1.	International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic	Minimum overall score of 5.5
2.	Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) IBT	Minimum overall score of 46
3.	Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)	Minimum overall score of 40
4.	Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)	Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5, and Writing 5.
5.	Duolingo English Test (DET)	Minimum overall score of 95
6.	Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic	Minimum overall score of 43
7.	Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First exam (FCE) Institutions may include other Cambridge Qualifications at a higher level (i.e., C2 Proficiency (CPE)).	Minimum overall score of 160 or “C”
8.	Cambridge Linguaskill	Minimum overall B2 level
9.	LANGUAGECERT Academic	Minimum overall B2 level
10.	The Michigan English Test (MET)	Minimum overall B2 level
11.	iTEP Academic	Minimum overall score of 3.5
12.	EIKEN	Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1

OR

High School Credential

Evidence that 3 years of full-time secondary education (Grades 8-12), or 2 years of secondary education (including English 10 and 11 with a grade of ‘C’ or higher) from a country where English is one of the principal languages

OR

Other Criteria

2 years of full-time post-secondary education have been completed in the program’s language of instruction in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages.

OR

Mature Domestic Students:

This option applies only if:
The program’s language of instruction is English.
The applicant is a mature domestic student facing barriers.
The applicant is unable to access their educational records or provide sufficient proof of secondary/post-secondary education.
Accuplacer Assessment:
- Applicants must be [X] years or older at the start of the program and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Must provide attestation of completing at least three years of full-time education in English in a country where English is one of the primary languages (ELL courses do not count).
- Must achieve the following minimum scores on the Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation):
  - Reading: 230
  - Writing: 230
  - WritePlacer: 4

AND

Math Proficiency Requirements : Successful completion of provincially recognized Grade 10, 11, or 12 Mathematics with a minimum passing score of C.

OR

Successful completion of a math assessment conducted in-house by Ace Community College with a minimum score of 50%.

Program Structure

Program Details	Information
Start Dates	Cohort 1 – April 7, 2025 \| Cohort 2 – August 11, 2025 \| Cohort 3 – November 24, 2025
Class Hours	Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Modality	In-person
Duration	16 weeks
Hands-on Training	Yes
Venue	Ace Community College, 9486 120 Street, Surrey, BC, V3V 4B9