About the program  

The Black Youth Development and Mentorship Program introduces Black students in grades 11 and 12 to career options in government.

The program is offered in the summer and provides 8-week, paid summer jobs for Black youth in grades 11 and 12 who are planning to attend university or college. Students earn a salary, get real-world work experience, learn how government works and explore different jobs.

During the program, students are paired with mentors. Mentors help students develop their professional skills and provide support throughout the program. Weekly workshops and guest speaker presentations also provide opportunities for students to learn and network. 

The Black Youth Development and Mentorship Program also helps government create a more inclusive and diverse public service.

Benefits for students

The Black Youth Development and Mentorship Program provides students with:

• opportunities to discover career options with government
• work experience that allows you to apply what you’ve learned to work projects
• project work and networking to help develop confidence and professional skills
• opportunities to see how academic interests can relate to government jobs
• access to a mentor who provides support and shares their knowledge
• access to collaborate and network with other students

Job opportunities

In the past, the following departments offered summer jobs for students in the program:

• Agriculture
• Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
• Community Services
• Education and Early Childhood Development
• Environment and Climate Change
• Fisheries and Aquaculture
• Health and Wellness
• Justice and the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives
• Public Works
• Service Nova Scotia

Examples of project work during summer jobs

Different projects are assigned to students based on their summer job, interest, and skillset. Examples of project work students have done in past years:

• research on the perception of mental health problems in Black communities for the Office of Addictions and Mental Health
• interviewing executives to collect information about the Department of Public Works’ efforts to support equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives and practices
• working in the Museum of Natural History and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic throughout the summer and teaching people about the different exhibits
• working with the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives to help conduct youth focus group sessions where students in the Black Youth Development and Mentorship Program could share their perspectives and contribute to project the office was developing
• working in the welding shop at the Department of Public Works where students learned about welding and how the shop works

Learn more about the program

Visit the Black Youth Development and Mentorship Program for more information about the program (including eligibility criteria, program details and how to apply for jobs).

Black Youth Development and Mentorship Program

Contact

Department of Public Works
byouthdevelopment@novascotia.ca