Outside Looking In, a national Indigenous youth charity, announced a new Certificate Program in Professional Studies, in partnership with Sun Life. Forty-six students are enrolled in the inaugural Future Leaders Next Level program, ranging in age from 17 to 27 – from communities across Canada. The program is designed to provide inclusive pathways to success by bridging educational gaps for Indigenous youth living in remote communities, where geographic isolation presents a barrier to career planning resources, mentorship, professional development and career networking. The Certificate Program in Professional Studies – titled Future Leaders Next Level – is an evolution of OLI’s long-standing Future Leaders accredited high school program for grades 10 through 12 and OLI’s Alumni Program. The restructured and formalized curriculum for OLI Alumni will now build upon the skills developed in the high-school credit program to provide experiences, professional networking, and qualifications necessary to excel as they pursue post-secondary education or in-demand career avenues in today’s competitive workforce.
Future Leaders Next Level
Certificate in Professional Studies.
Future Leader’s Next Level builds upon OLI’s existing Alumni Program (for young people who have completed an OLI program in the past) with a formalized curriculum. The13-week course launched in January 2025 and offers a comprehensive exploration of five career streams:
- The Arts (dance, show production, set design, lighting, sound, etc.)
- Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy (starting a small business, accounting, etc.)
- Public Service (policing, justice, military, firefighting, nursing, etc.)
- Climate Leadership and Environment (fisheries and wildlife, etc.)
- Technology and Trades (welding, heavy equipment operator, artificial intelligence, web design, etc.)
Each student is paired with a dedicated mentor, all vetted professionals from various sectors related to the five career streams. Additional optional program components include (application required):
- Discovery Week in Toronto (18 spaces available)
- Performance at OLI’s Annual Showcase in Toronto on May 9, 2025 (10 spaces available)
- 2-week paid employment to support the staging of OLI’s Annual Showcase and rehearsal camp in Ontario.
For further information about the Certificate Program in Professional Studies, click here.