Canada Inks Deal For Expanded Youth Employment

Canada has officially launched the Youth Mobility Agreement, providing young individuals with enhanced opportunities for exposure and experience. Although the agreement with Finland was signed in May of the preceding year, its implementation has been confirmed recently. As outlined in an official press release, this agreement permits Canadians and Finns, aged 18 to 35, to engage in work and travel within each other’s countries through either the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program or its Finnish counterpart.

With Canada and Finland commemorating 77 years of formal diplomatic relations this year, the agreement is deemed a foundation for further strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations. Participants in the IEC program will have the chance to immerse themselves in diverse cultures, gaining valuable life skills, enhancing future job prospects, and fostering deeper social connections, according to the official statement.

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The agreement is not only seen as a cultural exchange opportunity but also a unique chance for Indigenous youth in Canada to explore the heritage and traditional knowledge of the Sámi people. By investing in the potential of their youth, both Canada and Finland are actively contributing to the development of a more interconnected global community.

Aspiring participants in the Canada–Finland youth mobility agreement can apply under three distinct categories:

1. Working Holiday participants receive an open work permit, allowing them to work anywhere in the host country to support their travels.
2. International Co-op (Internship) participants are granted an employer-specific work permit, enabling them to gain targeted experience in their field of study.
3. Young Professionals participants obtain an employer-specific work permit, facilitating targeted professional work experience aligned with their field of study or career path.

Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller emphasized that the IEC will empower Canadian and Finnish youth to learn from diverse cultures and experiences, fostering skill development, improving career prospects, and nurturing friendships that will endure throughout their lives.