Fill out the Building Skills Through Recreation Registration Summer Employment Registration form. A staff member will respond as soon as possible. Youth can also inquire in person at any Enhanced Youth Space Location.

Free Programs to Help Youth Get Jobs (Ages 13 to 24)

Building Skills through Recreation (BSTR) is a free program for youth to develop transferable skills, earn employment-related certifications and build a strong pathway to local employment in recreation, sports, aquatics, cycling and community leadership.

Through the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Toronto Legacy Program investment, free, internationally-recognized certifications through Ontario Soccer for coaching and officiating are being offered this year.

Let’s Get Coaching Program

Let’s Get Coaching is a program that helps youth in becoming certified sport coaches in their communities. Participants in this free program receive coaching certification along with practical training. Through this program, youth gain the confidence and qualifications needed to work in local sport and recreation programs. Let’s Get Coaching also connects participants with community organizations and clubs, helping them find volunteer and paid job opportunities in sport and recreation. 

Let’s Get Coaching is expanding to certify significantly more youth and frontline staff in soccer-specific coaching.

Participants will benefit from:

  • NCCP-aligned coaching training
  • Practical instruction for delivering safe, inclusive soccer programs
  • Pathways into community coaching and leadership roles

Girls-Only Coaching

To ensure equitable access, BSTR now offers a dedicated, girls-only coaching stream. This stream:

  • Provides a welcoming and inclusive training environment
  • Builds confidence and leadership skills
  • Supports young women in earning coaching credentials
  • Helps grow the number of female coaches and leaders in community sport

Let’s Get Officiating

These certifications open doors to paid officiating opportunities and help grow the pool of qualified officials supporting local leagues, clubs and community programming.

Accredited soccer officiating certifications available:

  • Small-Sided Match Official
  • Entry-Level Match Official

Available certifications and training includes:

  • Sports instructional training (tennis, basketball and soccer)
  • CAN-BIKE level 4
  • National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) coaching fundamentals and Fundamental Movement Skills
  • Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross and National Lifeguard
  • Swim Instructor, Pool Attendant and Aquatic Fitness
  • Standard First Aid and CPR-C

CampTO is partnering with BSTR to offer Counsellor in Training, a program for training youth 13 to 16 years old that provides:

  • Hands-on training to work with children
  • A supervised placement at a CampTO program
  • A certificate of completion
  • Experience in a fun, active camp environment

Areas of Development

BSTR develops important job skills through:

  • Resume writing, job application guidance and interview preparation
  • Mock and practical interviews
  • Supervised leadership and employment placements
  • Free pre-employment certifications aligned with career interests
  • Training that supports entry into recreation, sport leadership, aquatics and community programming roles

Example of the BSTR Process

  • Step 1: Youth are engaged in Recreation Programs
  • Step 2: Youth age 13 to 16 can join a Counsellor in Training Program, a local youth council or Aquatic Leadership course
  • Step 3: Youth age 14+ can attend a local Employment Readiness Road Show
  • Step 4: Youth age 14 to 24 can join BSTR Program at a local Hiring Hive or by online registration and choose a stream (General Recreation, Sports, Aquatics or FIFA/Coaching)
  • Step 5: Complete BSTR courses and obtain certifications
  • Step 6: Apply for a job with support from BSTR staff and local Youth Outreach Workers
  • Step 7: Complete Mock Interviews
  • Step 8: Obtain and complete job interviews
  • Step 9: Participate in supervised practical placements
  • Step 10: Receive support to complete hiring documentation
  • Step 11: Obtain shifts

Let’s Get Coaching and Let’s Get Officiating are FIFA World Cup 2026™ Toronto Legacy Programs