First Work is pleased to partner with incredible organizations in the workforce development sector who share our community-driven values and evidence-informed policy and programming endeavors


This page of resources – cultivated through with sector expertise – is intended to support the continued digitization of the employment services sector, including resources on:

• Incorporating well-developed digital tools and assessments into employment services
• Example use-cases for digital Tool Pathways
• Phases of the employment journey and practical approaches to pathway navigation
• Research on the future of work and digital employment supports


Well-developed digital tools and assessments incorporated into employment services allow ESPs to:

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More accurately identify and target the competencies and skills today’s youth need

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Reach youth and deliver services at a larger scale

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Better coordinate other stakeholders like employers in matching youth to opportunities.

Resource Links:

Youth Employment Pathway Microsite

Project Integrate

Digital Tools Map

Digital Tools used by the Employment Service Provider(ESP) Network in Canada

Welcome to the interactive data visualization map!
You can explore 350+ digital tools used across the employment services sector in Canada.

In 2019, the Ontario Tourism Education Corporation (OTEC), together with a coalition of partners including First Work, MaRS Data Catalyst Centre and the Canadian Council for Youth Prosperity, began work with The Future Skills Centre – Centre des Compétences futures (FSC-CCF) to test an innovative, evidence-based approach to skills development for the new economy. The initiative, known as Project Integrate, is testing the potential impact and feasibility of a single technology-enabled employment and training pathway for youth.

Phases of the Path to Employment

Discovery Phase: In this phase, youth actively and passively absorb information that will help direct subsequent phases of the employment journey.

Development Phase: In this phase, youth seek to improve their eligibility for employment through the cultivation of a variety of skillsets. This includes technical skills as well as essential, social and emotional skills.

Positioning Phase: In this phase, youth explore mechanisms to build their personal brand and communicate their value, aptitudes and skillsets. Youth generate their profile as well as engage in networking opportunities.

Application Phase: In this phase, youth seek out and target specific job opportunities. Once opportunities are identified, job seekers engage in employer research and job applications.

Matching Phase: In this phase, youth engage in various styles of employer interviews and assessments. This phase ranges in intensity and increasingly includes both human and automated techniques.

Reports