Youth Exchange
Mentorship, Training, and Applied Learning.
An opportunity for young professionals ages 18-29 years interested in pursuing or advancing a career in the Fairs and Expo Industry. The program offers experience in event coordination, project management, public speaking and nonprofit leadership.
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Up-coming info-sessions for youth and Program Partners
CAFE presentation on Partner Roles and Responsibilities
Youth Leadership
The Youth Exchange Program is relaunching this Fair Season. We invite young professionals, fairs and exhibitions across Canada to join us.
Info-Sessions
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Youth Info Session
May 21 (Time TBD)
Young Professionals are invited to join CAFE for a short virtual presentation with Q&A on the Youth Exchange Programs.
Youth Info Session
May 26 (Time TBD)
Young Professionals are invited to join CAFE for a short virtual presentation with Q&A on the Youth Exchange Programs.
Partner Registration Information
FAQ's
Definitions Participant: Youth who are participating in the leadership program Partner: CAFE Members who are involved in the youth leadership initiative Home Fair: The fair or exhibition where the youth is employed or volunteers Host Fair: The fair or exhibition who will be providing the work placement experience through training and mentorship Expo: Exhibition, although sometimes just the title “Fair” will be used to mean both fair and exhibition Connector: A Service Provider or Community Partner Service Provider: An independent business affiliated with the Fair/Exhibition Industry Community Partner: Community organizations or businesses who are working with local fairs/exps
General FAQ
What is the Youth Leadership (Youth Exchange) Program? A collaborative, immersive youth leadership training program, providing experiences in event coordination, project management, public speaking and nonprofit leadership at Canadian fairs and exhibitions. The work placement spans 5-7 days and is comprised of 50% hands-on experience, 40% shadowing event management & operations, 10% free exploration.
Why is CAFE offering this program? With the support of The RBC Foundation, CAFE aims to close the equity gap by providing youth, particularly underserved* youth, with meaningful opportunities to grow on their career path and Develop intergenerational and inter-cultural relationships. **Underserved includes: Indigenous, Newcomer, Disabled, Racialized, Remote Rural...
Who is eligible to participate? Any individual residing in Canada, affiliated with a Canadian fair or exhibition, between the ages 18-29 years who would like to gain work experience to advance their career. There is no requirement for past experience in leadership roles, or in the prescribed areas of professional development: event coordination, project management, public speaking, communications, HR, and nonprofit leadership. There is no educational requirement. We are prioritizing youth who identify as Indigenous, a newcomer, disabled, racialized, remote rural, or otherwise underserved youth. (Affiliated: employee or volunteer, new employees and volunteers are welcome!)
Youth FAQ
Can I participate if I am not currently employed or volunteering with a fair or exhibition in Canada? Yes. In order to participate, please contact your local fair or exhibition citing you are interested in enrolling in the CAFE Youth Leadership program. You will have the opportunity to volunteer with the fair, or if there are staff positions available, apply to a staff position.
Does it cost money to enroll or participate in the leadership training? There is no fee to enroll or participate as a youth in the program. However fairs/expo’s do have financial responsibilities.
Where are the work placements? The placement will be with one of the enrolled fairs/expos in Canada that provides training in the area of skill development you would like to develop. An updated list of partners will be posted when it becomes available.
How do I learn more about the program? CAFE will be offering Youth Info Sessions May 21 and May 26. The sessions will be posted on the Youth Program Page of the CAFE website: https://www.canadianfairs.ca/youthprograms Additionally you may email programs@canadianfairs.ca
How do I enroll as a Youth Participant? To enroll as a youth participant, your home fair must be registered as a Partner. They are responsible for submitting a referral to CAFE for your participation.
What if I have barriers to participation, but would like to participate? Individual accommodations can be arranged by contacting programs@canadianfairs.ca We will work with you, your Home Fair and the Host Fair to ensure your needs are met to fully engage in the work placement.
Partner FAQ
What are Program Partners? Program partners are members of the Canadian Fair and Exhibition Industry who collaborate on the Youth Leadership program as a Connector, Home Fair or Host Fair.
What is the role of a Connector? Connectors are CAFE Service Providers, as well as youth & community organizations. They connect youth to fairs for volunteering/ employment, promote the program, and support mentoring. Connector Responsibilities: Outreach to youth and fairs Program promotion Community relations Supporting mentorship Supporting youth in organizational capacity - advocacy, accessibility
What is the role of a Home Fair? Home Fairs are CAFE members in good standing. They review staff or volunteers that meet criteria for the program, consider community referred youth as volunteers or to interview as potential staff, and refer eligible youth to the program. Home Fair Responsibilities Select, vet and refer eligible youth Partner with community orgs if applicable Pay employee’s wages during training Pay for transportation and meals (restrictions* set by Home Fair) *Restrictions include budget for meals and transportation, including distance of work placement to accommodate for barriers
What is the role of a Home Fair? Home Fairs are CAFE members in good standing. They review staff or volunteers that meet criteria for the program, consider community referred youth as volunteers or to interview as potential staff, and refer eligible youth to the program. Home Fair Responsibilities Select, vet and refer eligible youth Partner with community orgs if applicable Pay employee’s wages during training Pay for transportation and meals (restrictions* set by Home Fair) *Restrictions include budget for meals and transportation, including distance of work placement to accommodate for barriers
What is the role of a Host Fair? Host Fairs are CAFE members in good standing. They receive youth, provide training and mentorship with the guidance of the checklists. Host Fair Responsibilities Select and vet a mentor(s) Provide accommodations (if Host Fair wants to use a private residence for billeting, a billeting application with vulnerable sector screenings for all individuals in the home over the age of 18years is required) Provide accessible training, mentorship and experience (based on guidelines)
What are the guidelines and checklists? CAFE will provide Host Fairs and participants with checklists and evaluative tools to ensure a meaningful work placement experience. The checklists cover a range of leadership skills across the identified mentoring areas. Both Mentors and participants will receive a checklist to guide the experience. Participants can use the checklist to help update their resume. The checklists are submitted through google forms, and analyzed with other evaluative tools to generate a report on the program. The report will be shared with the partners.
What are Mentors? Host Fairs select a mentor or mentors from their fair, who are skilled in event coordination, project management, communications, public speaking or nonprofit leadership. Mentors provide the participants with an enriching hands-on experience with the guidance of the checklist and evaluative tools.
What is CAFE’s role? CAFE provides coordination between youth and partners. CAFE Responsibilities Cross-Promotion Processes applications Manage matching process Coordinate youth and partners Provide guidelines & checklists Manage evaluations and reports results to partners
Who can be a program partner? Connectors are open to any community organizations, youth-based organizations, and CAFE Service Providers Home Fairs are restricted to fairs and exhibitions who are active CAFE members. Do you need to renew your membership? Join CAFE today and become a Program Partner. (Membership: https://www.canadianfairs.ca/members-categories) Host Fairs are restricted to fairs and exhibitions who are active CAFE members. Do you need to renew your membership? Join CAFE today and become a Program Partner. (Membership https://www.canadianfairs.ca/members-categories)
Our membership has expired, can we still partner? Yes, renew your membership today and become a Program Partner
Other questions? Email programs@canadianfairs.ca
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