Environmental career help, mentorship, networking

Free Program

Launch Your Career in Canada's Environmental Sector.

Are you a newcomer to Canada aged 18–35 looking to start or advance your career in the environmental sector?

Newcomer Youth Green Economy Project (NYGEP) – Fall 2026 Cohort Applications Open

Opportunity: Newcomer Youth Green Economy Project (NYGEP) Participant
Organization: Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
Location: Across Canada with in-person activities in the GTA – Hybrid and Remote Participation Available
Program Duration: November 14, 2026 – April 2027
Commitment: Part-time, five months
Cost: Free
Apply: https://www.trca.ca/nygep

The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is now accepting applications for the Fall 2026 Cohort of the Newcomer Youth Green Economy Project (NYGEP).

NYGEP is a free, five-month, part-time career development program designed to help newcomer youth build the skills, professional experience, and industry connections needed to succeed in Canada's growing environmental sector.

Through career training, employer-led projects, professional mentorship, networking opportunities, and experiential learning, students will gain valuable Canadian workplace experience while exploring career opportunities in environmental conservation and sustainability.

The program is open to eligible newcomers across Canada, with virtual learning opportunities available nationwide and in-person activities offered primarily in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

What You'll Gain

As an NYGEP participant, you will benefit from:

• Career Development Training: Eight half-day workshops covering Canadian workplace culture, job search strategies, resumé writing, interview preparation, networking, and professional communication.
• Professional Project Placement: Work with an environmental sector employer on a real-world project, gaining practical experience and valuable industry connections under the guidance of a professional mentor.
• Online Professional Training: Access 10 hours of additional TRCA online training to strengthen your employability and workplace readiness.
• Industry Networking and Mentorship: Connect with environmental professionals, employers, mentors, and fellow newcomers to expand your professional network.
• Field Trips and Experiential Learning: Explore conservation initiatives, sustainable infrastructure, and environmental workplaces through educational site visits and virtual learning experiences.
• Indigenous Perspectives and Learning: Develop an understanding of Indigenous histories, cultures, and perspectives on environmental stewardship in Canada.
• Community Connections: Become part of a supportive network of peers, professionals, and NYGEP alumni who share your interest in environmental careers.

Explore Four Environmental Career Pathways

Students may select one of the following career pathways in the program:

1. Ecological Restoration: Habitat restoration, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, and ecological monitoring.
2. Water Management: Watershed management, water conservation, stormwater management, and aquatic ecosystem protection.
3. Green Energy and Building: Renewable energy, sustainable construction, energy efficiency, and green infrastructure.
4. Environmental Education: Conservation education, environmental outreach, public engagement, and sustainability programming.

Students will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and develop practical skills through collaborative, employer-led projects related to these pathways.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be 18 to 35 years old.
• Be interested in pursuing or advancing a career in Canada's environmental sector.
• Be a newcomer to Canada who falls into at least one of the following eligible immigration categories:
  • Permanent Resident.
  • Convention refugee.
  • Approved-in-Principle Permanent Residence Applicant: Individuals who have received written confirmation of approval in principle from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
  • Protected Person: Individuals who have received a positive protection decision from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB).
  • Eligible Special Immigration Pathway Applicant: Individuals approved under certain designated immigration pathways, including eligible Palestinians who left Gaza on or after September 1, 2023, and their families (applicable until March 31, 2027).

Program Schedule – Fall 2026 Cohort

Program Start and Orientation: Saturday, November 14, 2026
Program Completion: April 2027

Job Search and Corporate Culture Workshops:

• November 2026: 14, 21, and 28
• December 2026: 5 and 12
• January 2027: 9, 16, and 23

Additional online training, employer-led projects, networking sessions, and experiential learning activities will take place throughout the five-month program.

About NYGEP

The Newcomer Youth Green Economy Project is delivered by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

NYGEP supports the successful integration of newcomers into Canada's workforce by helping students develop the skills, experience, and professional connections needed to pursue meaningful careers in the environmental sector.

The program also helps strengthen Canada's environmental workforce by connecting newcomer talent with conservation organizations and industry professionals.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Applications are now open for the Fall 2026 Cohort, beginning November 14, 2026.

Visit http://www.trca.ca/nygep to:

• Learn more about the program and eligibility requirements.
• Register for an upcoming NYGEP information webinar.
• Submit your application for the Fall 2026 Cohort.

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

Important: Applications are accepted exclusively through the program application form at trca.ca/nygep.

Please note: NYGEP is a free career development and experiential learning program, not a direct employment opportunity. Participation does not guarantee employment.