Some of our local construction associations run youth employment programs. Some people might call them pre-apprenticeship programs. If my memory is correct the one in Calgary, for example, run by the Calgary Construction Association with employers is for kids who have dropped out or have no other place to turn. It matches them with employers. To the extent that the show some potential, these employers will take them under their wing. They will sponsor them and try to get them back into trade schools to pursue particular trades. Of course, having close proximity to employers right from the get-go is great, because if the young person is successful they will probably have a first employer waiting to take them on when they graduate.
I know this is being used at the local level, not just for kids who dropped out of the system, but also in some northern communities with first nations and aboriginal youth as well.