The government is providing $25.6 million over the next three years for the Transition to Adulthood Program (TAP), which helps youth and young adults move from government care to lead successful, independent lives. The increase raises the TAP budget to $68 million for 2023-24.
Through this funding, more youth and young adults aging out of government care can continue to access the specialized, coordinated and consistent services they need for success. These services will help prepare them to live independently, pursue education, build their careers and maintain connections to people in their lives who can give them ongoing emotional support.
“Youth and young adults transitioning out of care deserve to have access to the same workplace opportunities and post-secondary paths as their peers. My ministry is taking action to remove the barriers they face and invest in their future so they can chase their dreams and reach their full potential.”
An additional $2.5 million in government funding will help youth and young adults build a career in skill trades with training and education-related supports, such as worksite tours, mentorship programs, preparing for apprenticeship exams, career events, training, work placements and skills development.
The funding from Skilled Trades and Professions will support about 500 youth and young adults who want to build a career in the trades.
“Our government is working to ensure that youth in care have the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and competencies they need to enjoy fulfilling lives and careers. I am proud of the work our government is doing to ensure youth transitioning out of care have the resources they need to enter a designated trade.”
Research shows young people leaving government care face barriers moving on to post-secondary education and have higher rates of homelessness and unemployment or underemployment. Youth and young adults leaving government care have typically experienced trauma, live with mental health issues and are more likely to face discrimination and barriers to training and education. Through this funding for the Transition to Adulthood Program, Alberta’s government is helping remove those barriers.
“I think this is a fantastic investment for youth and young adults aging out of care. I’m a prime example of what can happen when a youth aging out of care has the right supports in place to succeed and chase their dreams. I wouldn’t have been able to pursue a career in the trades without the support of TAP’s Advancing Futures program. I think more youth and young adults in care will pursue a trades career and in turn find long-term success in life, thanks to this initiative.”
“An investment like this can help save kids transitioning out of care. They have gone through enough hardships in life and don’t have the same connections that their peers do. These additional supports would make a huge impact in the kids’ lives and help set them up for success.”
Budget 2023 secures Alberta’s future by transforming the health-care system to meet people’s needs, supporting Albertans with the high cost of living, keeping our communities safe and driving the economy with more jobs, quality education and continued diversification.
Quick facts
- Statistics show that a youth aging out of care in Canada will earn about $326,000 less over their lifetime compared with their peers.
- Advancing Futures, a key component of TAP, provides funding and social supports to eligible young adults to access post-secondary education, including trades training. This initiative will help more young adults from care be prepared to pursue apprenticeships.