Volunteering

This program is driven by the need to gain work experience or practice a second language for job seekers in the Francophone community. Workplace immersion is one of the best ways to improve language skills and build confidence in linguistic abilities.

The goal is to allow Francophone individuals to gain workplace experience by completing 24 to 30 hours of volunteer work in an organization. Participants will receive a recommendation letter from the employer, which they can use as their first Canadian work experience in Nova Scotia.

Volunteer placements are reserved for French-speaking individuals. The working language of the organizations may be French, English, or both.

Duration of Volunteer Work 

• Francophone individuals will complete 24 to 30 hours of volunteer work within your organization.
• An employer cannot host the same volunteer more than once.
• At the end of the program, you will receive a link to complete a program evaluation. All information provided in this evaluation will remain confidential and will be used solely to improve the quality of the volunteer program.

• As a volunteer, you agree to help build trust with your host employer by actively participating in the volunteer program (by responding to e-mails or other messages sent by your employer, the YMCA/Nova Scotia Works or its partners).
• You'll show respect and courtesy in all your interactions with the various people involved in the program, and you'll do your best to make your volunteer period a success.

• As a host employer, your objective is to provide a Francophone individual with workplace experience through volunteer work focused on sociocultural openness, professional discovery, self-confidence, performance, and success in the workplace.
• You commit to building a trusting relationship with your volunteer and actively participating in the volunteer program (by responding to emails or other messages sent by your volunteer, le CDÉNÉ, or its partners).
• You will demonstrate respect and courtesy in all interactions with the program's stakeholders.
• The employer is required to provide a recommendation letter to the volunteer at the end of the volunteer period unless the candidate is recruited by the employer.

Would you like to volunteer? Please fill in this form.
You would like to welcome a volunteer in your organization? Please complete this form.

Program Partners
La Chambre de commerce francophone de Halifax supports the regional business community by offering tools, services, and programs to foster the development and engagement of the local business community.

YMCA Nova Scotia Works provides employment and career support services, connecting job seekers with available opportunities. We help individuals discover who they are and succeed by supporting them in achieving their employment goals.

Le Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse (CDÉNÉ) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the economic advancement of Nova Scotia’s Acadian and Francophone communities. It delivers solutions to businesses, non-profits, job seekers, economic immigrants, and communities to ensure their economic success.

The Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to implementing initiatives that support the economic development of the Acadian and Francophone communities in the Halifax region.

For more information or details, please contact Issam Wade - Project Development Officer by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by telephone at 902-307-6001.