Ottawa invests $4.4 million in Saint John's READY program for youth education and employment
New Brunswick (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick) ·New
The READY program offers comprehensive support to youth aged 15 to 29, providing education, skills training, and assistance in finding employment and building a brighter future.
Nickole Theriault shares her transformative experience with the program, expressing how it reignited her passion for learning and ambition for a fulfilling career.
Mark Leger (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/author/mark-leger-1.7509974) · CBC News
· Posted: Oct 17, 2025 5:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 10 minutes ago
Christina Fowler describes the initial hesitation of young individuals seeking support from the Saint John Learning Exchange, their heads covered and legs shaking with uncertainty.
"They gradually gain self-belief because we believe in them," Fowler, the Learning Exchange CEO, explains. "One of my most memorable moments is witnessing the same youth, three months later, with their hood down, standing tall, confident, and ready to conquer the world."
This week, at the Learning Exchange offices in Saint John, the federal government announced a $4.4 million investment for the READY program, which offers comprehensive support to youth aged 15 to 29, providing education, skills training, and assistance in finding employment and building a brighter future.
Nickole Theriault, an 18-year-old participant, reflects on her initial fears, recalling her experience of feeling overwhelmed and bullied in Grade 9 at St. Malachy’s High School.
"These challenges left me feeling discouraged and disconnected from the idea of pursuing an education," Theriault recalls. "I dropped out and didn’t return to school until I was 16 when I started at the Learning Exchange, where I could engage in coursework outside the traditional classroom."
Theriault praises the supportive environment at the Learning Exchange, where she excelled academically and found her footing. She also began working at Stone Soup Catering, a social enterprise that hires workers from the Learning Exchange, and started envisioning her future as a veterinarian, a long-held aspiration.
READY, which stands for Repairing Education and Employment Achievement Debts to Youth, has been operational, but the federal funding enables it to expand its services, serving 200 youth annually.
Theriault herself was on the waitlist for the program, a common experience for many youth who seek its support.
The additional funding will create more spots and enhance skills training components, fostering connections with companies that could offer employment opportunities.
"We recently graduated 13 young individuals from the insulators trades training program, and they are now employed full-time," Fowler highlights. "We are proud of our trades approach and direct employment strategy."
The program offers "wrap-around" supports, including mental health and addiction services, to ensure holistic success.
They also engage in project work, fostering leadership and teamwork skills.
For individuals like Theriault, the program provided essential assistance in finding accommodation, setting up a bank account, and obtaining proper identification.
"We provide case management and coaching support to help them secure and maintain employment," Fowler explains.
The center offers a diverse range of skills training, from culinary arts to carpentry.
Chris Miller, a 17-year-old who attended Simonds High School before joining the Learning Exchange, found his niche in culinary classes and carpentry courses. He contributed to baking cupcakes served at the announcement and crafting benches now part of the Learning Exchange's furniture.
Miller envisions a future in the trades, emphasizing their importance in the coming years.
"I've always been interested in trades, as they will be crucial in the near future," he states. "I am committed to this education. I aspire to build my own house one day and pursue similar endeavors."
Miller acknowledges the value of both technical skills and soft skills, such as baking and using power tools.
"I believe these skills are valuable," he asserts.
Jessica Charlton, who was bullied in school and dropped out of Harbourview High School in Grade 9, shares her journey of overcoming shyness and addiction. She now exudes confidence, having graduated and serving on the youth advisory council.
Charlton volunteers at the C.E. Nick Nicolle Community Centre in the city's north end and aspires to attend university to become an educational assistant or support worker.
"Helping others feels incredibly rewarding, as I didn't receive the same support when I was struggling, which led me down a challenging path," Charlton reflects.
The program's primary focus is on empowering young individuals to secure fulfilling employment in a province grappling with a 17% youth unemployment rate.
However, Fowler highlights the province's impending worker shortage over the next decade, emphasizing the need for young, motivated, and engaged individuals like Charlton, Theriault, and Miller.
Employers are actively seeking the right fit and are willing to provide opportunities, recognizing the importance of youth in shaping the future workforce.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mark Leger is a reporter and producer based in Saint John. For story ideas, contact him at mark.leger@cbc.ca
