Interim Project Research Report Reveals Promising Findings
The current phase of Reboot Plus is proving to be a powerful catalyst for change among Canadian youth. Although they are in different locations and face different circumstances, they are all uncertain about their career paths or facing challenges in traditional education systems. Through a unique 16-week program, Douglas College and PEERs Employment & Education Resources and their national delivery partners have helped young people redefine their futures and re-engage with learning and work. Interim findings from the research led by Blueprint —the program’s evidence generation partner—reveal promising early outcomes of the program delivered between September 2022 and December 2023 in Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Ontario.
Satisfaction and Engagement: A New Benchmark
In a demographic where traditional school engagement has often been low, Reboot Plus saw 
high levels of sustained participation: 77% of participants attended over 61% of sessions, and between 71% and 90% of participants completed the program across the different sites. This high level of engagement is associated with high satisfaction rates. Youth responses showed that 86% found the program beneficial, 88% enjoyed it, and 91% would recommend it to others.
Facilitators, praised for their empathy and knowledge, played a key role. As one facilitator noted, “We’re not here to enforce rigid expectations. We adapt to each individual’s journey.” “Facilitators met us where we were,” shared one participant, emphasizing that the non-judgmental support helped them to engage and excel.
Empowering Youth with Real-World Skills
The program’s focus on self-discovery and skill-building has shown impressive results. Participants rated their growth in self-efficacy, communication skills, and job clarity highly, reflecting an improved sense of control over their personal and career paths. By the end of the program, 82% planned to apply their skills to future studies, and 91% felt equipped to bring their skills into future workplaces. “This program gave me more direction and ambition. It reaffirmed what I need to do next and gave me the confidence to get back on track.”
The in-person, supportive environment fostered accountability and socialization, building participants’ confidence to succeed.
A Lasting Impact on Career Readiness
Reboot Plus’s career-oriented approach also yielded promising results in employment preparation. Program activities—such as classes focused on self-discovery and reflection as well as exposure to employers and college facilities—helped youth feel more connected to potential career paths. “Reboot Plus gave me more insight into how the world works. All the presenters were interesting, and the informational interviews were definitely beneficial in helping me progress in what I would want out of a college experience or what I would want out of my hobbies and passions.”
Participants left the program with concrete next steps for their educational and career goals, with several high school students even expressing renewed motivation to complete their diplomas. “I’m excited to finish high school now,” said one participant. “I know what I need to achieve, and I have the tools to get there.”
Broadening Perspectives Among Employers and Professionals
In addition to the youth outcomes, Reboot Plus has made a positive impression on local employers and professionals across the delivery sites. The program’s model, which connects youth with professionals, opened doors for meaningful relationships. An impressive 86% of employers and professionals who participated reported increased awareness of youth as potential talent, with 87% willing to support youth career pathways further. “When you tell employers about Reboot Plus, they want to be part of it,” shared a program staff member. Some employers and professionals even expressed interest in continuing their involvement and advocating for the program publicly.
Expanding the Impact
With delivering the remaining cycles funded by the Future Skills Centre , Reboot Plus will 
continue empowering youth across Canada. As shown in the early evaluation findings of this expansion program, with the right support, young people can rediscover their purpose and set themselves up for long-term success regardless of their locations and contexts. As one participant noted, “Reboot gave me a reality check of some sort that it was necessary to keep on pursuing …just life in general and finding out what I’m passionate about.”
Click on the following links if you want to learn more about the current and upcoming sessions at Douglas College, Fanshawe College and College of the North Atlantic.
To learn more about the early research findings from Blueprint’s interim report, click here.
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Reboot Plus is a youth education and career development program delivered in partnership by Douglas College and PEERs Employment and Education Resources, with expansion to Fanshawe College and College of the North Atlantic.
Participants are vulnerable youth aged 17 to 24 who have not finished high school and do not have a plan for their future. The 16-week program helps participants identify their values, personality, interests and skills, meet with professionals and develop an education and career action plan.
The Reboot Plus project is funded by the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Centre.
Le projet Reboot Plus est financé par le Centre des Compétences futures du gouvernement du Canada