Stepabroad was honoured at the 2025 Global Youth Travel Awards with the distinction of Best Marketing Campaign for its Working Holiday Academy, a free, digital-first platform that has supported hundreds of young Canadians in preparing for international work and travel opportunities. This recognition places Canada at the forefront of youth mobility innovation, highlighting a homegrown initiative that is breaking down barriers and expanding global access for young people nationwide.

The Working Holiday Academy was created to address a clear need: thousands of Canadians dream of living and working abroad, but many lack the confidence, knowledge, or resources to take the first step. Stepabroad’s Academy solves this by offering the country’s first free, fully self-directed pathway for planning a working holiday, from visas and job searches to housing, travel logistics, and community support. Through engaging video lessons, downloadable checklists, peer forums, WhatsApp guidance, and automated onboarding flows, the Academy brings all the essential information into one accessible, easy-to-navigate platform.

The campaign that launched the Academy reached thousands of Canadians, helping young adults from every province gain the confidence and clarity they needed to pursue international experience. In a sector traditionally dominated by paid programs, Stepabroad’s free model stands out for its commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and public value, ensuring that financial circumstances aren’t a barrier to seeing the world. As a Recognized Organization by the Government of Canada, Stepabroad’s Working Holiday Academy strengthens our mission to promote outbound youth mobility for Canadians through IEC (International Experience Canada) programs.

The wider Alliance Strategies group also celebrated a second win at the 2025 Global Youth Travel Awards, with Alliance Abroad España receiving Best Work Experience Provider for its Hospitality & Culinary Internship Program. This program creates a rare bridge for young Spanish-speaking culinary professionals, from Latin America to Spain’s most distinguished kitchens, including 17 MICHELIN-starred restaurants, reflecting the organization’s global expertise in developing meaningful international experiences.

Across both recognitions, one message is clear: Alliance Strategies is committed to opening doors for young people and supporting them as they step into new countries, new careers, and new chapters.

“Our teams pour an incredible amount of heart, expertise, and dedication into every participant’s experience. The Working Holiday Academy is a powerful example of how the right tools can empower Canadian youth to take their first step into the world with confidence and clarity.” – Said James Bell, CEO of Alliance Strategies.

Alliance Strategies supports thousands of participants each year across its global programs, championing the skills, cultural understanding, and personal growth that come from meaningful international experience.