ATS Traffic Teams Up with YOUCAN to Pave the ‘Road to Work’ for Edmonton Youth

EDMONTON, Alberta (April 22, 2021) – ATS Traffic partners with YOUCAN Youth Services to launch the “Road to Work Program” for youth aged 18-25 years old who are interested in a career in traffic safety. This new youth job program offers candidates the tools required to succeed in the traffic safety industry and supports youth by providing them with applied skills to enter the workforce.

“It can be challenging for youth to successfully transition into the job market — especially during a pandemic. We are excited to team up with ATS Traffic and set youth up for success in the work world,” said Richard Flank, Transition Program Manager at YOUCAN Youth Services.

The Road to Work Program, sponsored by the Government of Alberta, offers youth workshops and industry-focused training to successful candidates. The program runs over 4 consecutive weeks and is free of cost. Upon completion of the program, candidates will have an advantage when applying for a Flagger position with ATS Traffic or in other roles within the traffic safety industry. Currently under pilot, the program will pause following the next intake of candidates. Findings will be collected and evaluated to plan how best to move forward.

To date, twenty-five percent of ATS Traffic’s new hires in 2021 have come from this program. Along with training such as forklift training, POST training, and Industry Standard Policy Training, candidates will acquire critical soft skills. “These are extremely valuable, transferable skillsets and differentiates a candidate if they have the necessary training and tools to succeed when applying for work in the traffic safety industry,” said Janet Semeniuk, Vice President of Human Resources at ATS Traffic.

“At ATS Traffic, we know the importance of giving back to our community, now more than ever. We are excited to see the continued success of our partnership with YOUCAN Youth Services to set our younger generations up for success in the workforce throughout the coming years,” stated Bobby Cantera, CEO at ATS Traffic.

For more information about the Road to Work Program, visit: https://www.youcan.ca/road-to-work/

About ATS Traffic

Since 1966, ATS Traffic has helped organizations and communities keep workers, drivers, and pedestrians safe on our roads. With 7 locations across western Canada and over 15,000 products in our inventory, ATS Traffic design and implement traffic control, on-street services, and work zone safety solutions that are customized for specific industries and project scopes. As a 3M™ Certified Fabricator, ATS Traffic is the largest sign and barricade manufacturer in western Canada as well as an award-winning provider of installation services, consulting, procurement and logistics, asset management, ITS solution architecture, and drafting and design services. For more information, visit www.atstraffic.ca.

About YOUCAN

YOUCAN Youth Services has been in operations in Edmonton since 2003. Over the past seventeen years, YOUCAN has grown from a one-person operation to requiring a staff team of 15. We have implemented a multitude of projects by partnering our funding with all three levels of Government, as well as many foundations and corporate partners. Our mission is to engage young people to transform their lives by breaking the cycle of harm. Our programs focus on youth outreach and youth employment. YOUCAN Youth Services’ main objective is to move vulnerable youth out of harm’s way and put them on a path to economic independence. Over the years we have seen great success with many of the young people we have supported, as they transition into employment. Our goal is to help youth get and keep a job. For more information visit: www.youcan.ca.