1 . Do you want to become a farmer? Do you want to grow whatever you like? Maybe your answer is “yes” . But you have never grown a crop before and don’t know where to start. Don’t worry. Here is good news.     1    

Decide why you’re interested in farming.

Being a farmer is nothing but hard work. Any kind of farming requires a lot of hard work. Farming sometimes also gives you less money for all your hard work.     2    

Visit with some experienced farmers.

It is highly recommended that you find those who are farming in a similar manner to what you intend to do. You can ask them to give you a tour of their work. Run a web search to find out about some upcoming local agricultural events happening and attend as many of them as you can.     3     There you can ask questions and learn about their farming experience.

    4    

This is the most important step on your way to becoming a farmer. It is because you are working and gaining direct experience. Like with all jobs, you will be entering at the very bottom. The only way you will work your way up is to work hard and do what is asked of you.

Have a good sense of humor.

    5     This will be especially important when your muscles are aching, your fingers feel like they are going to fall off or the weather has ruined your plans once again.

2 . Andrea Speranza wanted to be a firefighter long before she had the right word for her wish. After one childhood adventure at a construction site ended with an iron nail embedded (嵌入) in her leg and an emergency call to the fire department, she found herself in awe. “As they gave me the medical treatment, I thought they could help everybody and do anything,” says the now 52-year-old.

In 2000, Andréa Speranza achieved her dream of becoming a firefighter joining the Halifax Regional Fire Service. Her job was exactly as satisfying as she imagined it would be, except for one thing: she still hadn’t seen another woman in her role — not in a magazine, not on television, not in real life. Speranza decided that she wanted to help young women see that they, too, could have a career like hers.

The result was Camp Courage, a program for girls aged 15 to 19 who want to learn more about firefighting. In 2006, Speranza and about 20 volunteers welcomed their first 17 participants, recruiting (招募) attendees through advertising in schools. Over the course of eight days, the girls discovered the ins and outs of being first. responders: learning how to put out fires, deliver first aid and even use the jaws of life (救生钳) on a car.

Camp Courage now runs one session every year in Halifax and is free to attend. To offset costs, Speranza and her fellow campers fundraise by holding everything from car washes to comedy nights. Hopeful campers must also submit an essay describing how they plan to help their community, or a specific individual in need. And they have to deliver on the plan—from building a bench for a senior at a bus stop to launching a local chapter of the Kids Help Phone.

Hundreds of girls have passed through Camp Courage, and 36 percent are doing exactly what 52-year-old Speranza hoped they would: working as first responders across the country. This past summer, the camp held its first session for young women in Halifax, as well as its first national camp in Calgary with plans to roll out more in 2023.

5 . Skills and job training for young people

Learn about the Youth Skills Connections Program (YSCP), which helps young people aged 15-29 build the skills today's employers are looking for and get real work experience.

How it works

Through the Youth Skills Connections Program you'll get:

• hands-on training with a local business, university or not-for-profit business development organizations, including industry associations

• in-demand skills that will make you more employable

• real work experience and connections that will make it easier for you to find employment

Who is qualified

You can apply if you're:

•between the ages of 15 and 29 as of your entry in the program

• a resident of Ontario, and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

Age requirements for some training programs may differ due to the individual requirements of the program. Some programs may only be available for youth between the ages 18 to 29.

If you are on social assistance, you can still apply to the Youth Skills Connections Program. Your monthly social assistance payment may not be affected.

How to apply

You need to apply directly to an organization offering the Youth Skills Connections Program. The list of organizations offering the Youth Skills Connections will be updated regularly. You can set up an appointment to discuss the application process or get more information by contacting the participating organization nearest to you.