Ontario Construction News staff writer
Toronto Pearson Airport is awarding $1.57 million through its Uplift Fund to support workforce development and expand the construction skilled trades.
Funding will be directed to 11 organizations and is expected to provide more than 2,000 local residents with job placements, training and career coaching in communities around Toronto Pearson, including Brampton, Mississauga, and Etobicoke.
One stream aims to break down barriers to meaningful employment and growing the construction skilled trades workforce – and the second addresses the need to support the construction industry and supports Toronto Pearson’s long-term growth plans.
“Toronto Pearson understands the importance of partnering with community organizations, as we move forward with plans to build the airport of the future,” said Deborah Flint, president and CEO of Toronto Pearson. “The Uplift Fund is just one way we’re catalyzing economic growth and helping to build a skilled workforce that represent the broad experiences of people in the region. We are committed to opening doors, removing barriers, and creating opportunity for people who live and work within our community.”
Here’s where the money will go:
Construction Skilled Trades Stream
ACCES Employment, Connecting to Careers in Construction – Connecting young refugees and newcomers in Peel and Etobicoke to construction apprenticeships through mobile outreach and Ontario employment programs.
Afro Canadian Contractors Association, Project Ascend: Building Pathways to Success for BIPOC Contractors – Supports BIPOC contractors with skills training in bidding and estimating, mentorship, and post-program support to help them win contracts and grow their businesses.
Building Up, Building Up a Network of Holistic Supports for Long-term Construction Careers – Provides marginalized individuals with long-term career support in the trades, including case management, mentorship, financial coaching, and employer connections.
Skills for Change, Women in Skilled Trades Green Leadership Academy – Empowers newcomer and racialized women in trades with leadership training and industry connections, promoting inclusion in the green economy.
Workforce Development Stream
Achev, Job Action Club – Helps low-income residents in Brampton and Mississauga overcome unemployment through job coaching, skills training, and job search support.
CNIB, Come to Work: Building Brighter Futures – Supports job seekers with sight loss by building employer partnerships and connecting talent to meaningful work through training and career development.
Hospitality Workers Training Centre (HWTC), Uplifting Women’s Careers Program – Advances racialized women in hospitality from entry-level to leadership roles through intensive training and career coaching, addressing labour shortages and inclusion.
Humber College, NextPath Project: Communication Micro-Credential Program – Assists internationally trained professionals in bridging employment gaps through communication training, job trials, and credential recognition support.
The DAM, Youth Employment Program – Prepares youth for the workforce with personalized coaching, training, certifications, and career exploration, reducing employment barriers.
The King’s Trust Canada, Skills Academy: Creating Pathways to Employment for Young People – Equipping young people with the essential skills employers are seeking such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving to help them land a job and excel in the modern workplace, highlighting a gap in critical professional skills.
YWCA Toronto, Empower Works Program: Pathways to Higher-Paying and Meaningful Work for Women and Gender Diverse Individuals – Supports women and gender-diverse individuals in accessing higher-paying jobs through tailored career planning, employer connections, and empowerment programming.