Ontario Creating New Career Opportunities for Disadvantaged Youth

Training Courses to Help Underrepresented Groups Gain New Skills and Transition to New Careers

August 28, 2020

The Ontario government is investing $2.2 million in eight new projects to help disadvantaged youth and job seekers from underrepresented groups in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The projects will focus on developing the skills and training they need to begin successful careers.

The following funding recipients were selected through calls for proposals:

Accessible Community Counselling and Employment Services (A.C.C.E.S.) is receiving $242,992 for their project Trade Connections, which aims to help up to 200 newcomers and youth train in the field of construction and manufacturing.
Building Up is receiving $172,500 for their project Upskilling Workers Facing Multiple Barriers in the Trades. This project aims to train up to 50 women, newcomers, youth, people with disabilities, refugee claimants, people with criminal records, Indigenous people and others facing barriers to complete their apprenticeship training.
Hammer Heads is receiving $377,829 for the Hammer Heads Program, which will prepare up to 30 women and other people in underrepresented groups for jobs in the construction sector.
Ryerson University is receiving $395,000 for its Creative Native Project, which aims to train and mentor up to 50 participants for employment in concert production.
South Asian Autism Awareness Centre is receiving $146,912 for The Goodness Gift Social Enterprise Initiative to create jobs and train 12 people with autism.
Scadding Court Community Centre’s program Raising the Bar will receive $305,375 to train up to 15 people in under-resourced communities for jobs in construction security.
Word Media Group is receiving $130,100 for their project to train 12 Black youth in digital literacy skills.
Youth Employment Services will receive $500,000 to train up to 100 disadvantaged youth in its Yes2Tech Learn and Earn Program.