At Toronto Pearson, we deliver on our commitment to being a good neighbour by supporting programs that break down barriers to employment and cultivate opportunities for our neighbouring communities. We achieve this by investing and partnering in programming to support local area residents and employers to build new skills, connections, and opportunities for meaningful careers in the community surrounding us.
Our community investments are focused and strategic to allow for maximum impact for the organizations and projects we support. Through our Uplift Fund, we look to support projects that will provide job seeker support, enhance employer engagement practices, and provide holistic employment programming.
Through supporting these initiatives, we are committed to:
- Opening doors to meaningful employment and long-term career growth for job seekers
- Delivering effective employment supports and services that meet the needs of our local communities
- Strengthening the capacity and long-term impact of our community partners
Investing in programs that break down systemic barriers and build a more inclusive regional economy
In 2025, we are pleased to announce a $1,570,000 in funding for 11 local organizations that are delivering compelling workforce development projects that address community needs. These programs will deliver employment support for over 2,000 people through job placements, training, upskilling, job search support, mentorship, and coaching. The selected Uplift Fund projects fall into two funding streams, both focusing on workforce development.
Construction Skilled Trades Stream
The Growing the Skilled Trades stream recognizes the growing skilled labour shortages in the construction trades and the increasing demand for large infrastructure projects, such as Pearson LIFT. Through targeted and innovative programs in the construction industry the selected projects can help build meaningful careers for job seekers and a robust, diverse and reliable talent pipelines in the construction industry.
2025 Recipients
ACCES Employment
Connecting to Careers in Construction
Connecting to Careers in Construction responds to a skills shortage crisis across the Construction industry by directly targeting a new source of emerging talent. By leveraging ACCES Employment’s mobile employment services unit and Employment Ontario programming, ACCES brings their ‘Test the Trade’ campaign to locations where young refugees and newcomers congregate within Peel Region and Etobicoke. This includes temporary shelters, churches, and community centres. The program targets refugees and youth while promoting and then facilitating apprenticeship opportunities and/or viable employment in Ontario’s construction industry.
Afro Canadian Contractors Association
Project Ascend - Building Pathways to Success for BIPOC Contractors
Project Ascend is a new initiative designed to address specific challenges faced by BIPOC contractors in the construction industry, with a focus on skill-building in estimating and bidding, a critical area that directly impacts their ability to compete for and win contracts. The initiative goes beyond traditional training by combining skills development with mentorship, networking, and post-program support.
Building Up
Building Up a Network of Holistic Supports for Long-term Construction Careers
This project will support the placement, retention and advancement of marginalized individuals through construction trades apprenticeship pathways with long-term individualized career case management, financial coaching, mentorship, counseling, emergency financial assistance, and ongoing connection to a caring community. By expanding employer partnerships, the program will connect apprentices to meaningful job opportunities, helping them achieve truly sustainable careers.
Skills for Change
Women in Skilled Trades Green Leadership Academy
Skills for Change brings the Women in Skilled Trades (WiST) program to Brampton, Mississauga, and Etobicoke. Through research gathering region-specific insights on the intersections of gender, skilled trades, and the green economy, and leadership programming for newcomer and/or racialized women Red Seal apprentices, WiST brings together women, employers, policymakers, and workforce and settlement agencies to advance women's inclusion and participation in Canada's skilled trades sector.
Breaking Down Barriers to Meaningful Employment
Initiatives funded through the Breaking Down Barriers to Meaningful Employment stream focus on supporting individuals facing barriers to employment. Through training, counselling, job matching, and pre-employment supports, residents are supported in their goal to secure meaningful employment.
2024 Recipients
Achev
Job Action Club
The Job Action Club (JAC) aims to enhance employment for low-income residents in Brampton and Mississauga by aligning their talents with job market needs. Through multiple cohorts of two week training, JAC provides active job searches, online training in essential and soft skills, and expert job coaching. Participants develop critical skills, build networks, and receive ongoing support for lasting career success, helping them break free from underemployment and unemployment cycles.
CNIB
Come to Work – Building Brighter Futures
CNIB’s Come to Work program is a vital resource for people who are living with sight loss. The project ensures a resilient workforce by supporting access into the labour market or capacity-building for employers. CNIB looks to empower participants who are employed and job seekers who face higher barriers of entry, enhance pathways into meaningful employment, and encourage partnerships across the economy. Come to Work covers the three fundamental areas of talent pool cultivation, partner engagement, and creating professional connections.
Hospitality Workers Training Centre (HWTC)
Uplifting Women’s Careers Program
The Uplifting Women’s Careers (UWC) program empowers racialized women in hospitality by advancing them from entry-level roles to supervisory and managerial positions. Through 150 hours of job-specific and leadership training, participants gain the skills, coaching, and support needed for career mobility. With 80% securing promotions within four weeks, the program increases earnings and workplace inclusion. By addressing systemic barriers and labour shortages, UWC builds a pathway for racialized women to thrive in leadership while strengthening the industry with skilled, ready professionals.
Humber College
NextPath Project: Communication Micro-Credential Program
The NextPath Project is a workforce development initiative designed to support internationally trained professionals in overcoming employment barriers and securing meaningful careers in Canada. Through job trials, employer partnerships, and tailored wraparound supports, the program bridges skill gaps, facilitates foreign credential recognition, and enhances job search strategies. Delivered in collaboration with employers across Mississauga, Brampton, and Etobicoke, NextPath strengthens local workforce capacity, fosters diversity, and ensures equitable access to sustainable employment opportunities.
The DAM
Youth Employment Program
The Dam's innovative and individualized Youth Employment Program successfully equips, coaches and mentors’ youth to find their unique career path and assists them in securing and sustaining employment benefitting local employers and reducing employment barriers. Participants receive skills training, hands-on training, certifications, and career pathways.
The King’s Trust Canada
Skills Academy: Creating Pathways for Employability for Youth
Skills Academy is a free, engaging program designed to equip young people with essential skills for today’s job market. Skills Academy teaches young people the sought-after professional skills that will help them stand out in the workplace. Youth participants receive training that includes communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
YWCA Toronto
Empower Works Program: Pathways to Higher-Paying and Meaningful Work for Women and Gender Diverse Individuals
YWCA Toronto’s Empower Works program supports women and gender diverse individuals in overcoming barriers to meaningful, higher-paying employment. The program aims to assist Ontario Works recipients, low-income earners, survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), newcomers, and racialized job seekers. By providing targeted support and connections to industry employers, the program equips participants with the confidence and tools to pursue career pathways that reflect their skills, interests and potential. Participants work with trained staff to create actionable career plans, preparing them for empowered decisions about work, further education, or entrepreneurship. Empower Works is a bridge to sustainable, values-driven employment and lasting empowerment.
2024 Impact
In 2024 the Uplift Fund proudly invested $770,000 to support nine diverse projects that focus on workforce development, addressing barriers to meaningful employment, and providing targeted support for residents in Etobicoke, Mississauga and Brampton. The successful projects have delivered over 100 training sessions, workshops and employment events for over 1200 participants.
Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services
Achēv
Black Physicians Association of Ontario
Blk Owned
Brampton Venture Zone by TMU
Rexdale Women’s Centre
MABELLEarts
Windmill Microlending
YWCA Toronto
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