After an extensive evaluation period, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) has announced the recipients of its 2022 Uplift Fund. From providing employment opportunities to Ukrainian newcomers and mentoring for jobs in aviation to opening pathways to careers in the arts, our commitment to surrounding communities has never been stronger. Six organizations have received a total of $387,000 for programs designed to break down barriers to employment and cultivate opportunity for communities around Toronto Pearson.
The six organizations chosen and their areas of focus are:
- The Urban Pilots Network’s Top Flyers Canada program prepares Black and racialized youth for entry-level employment with leading aviation agencies.
- ACCES Employment’s Ukrainian Newcomer Assistance Program will provides employment service supports to recent Ukrainian newcomers, to help secure employment and succeed at meaningful employment in the GTA.
- Brands for Canada’s Suitable Impressions Program is a first impressions-focused employment program that coaches participants to succeed in a job interview.
- Blue Door Support Services’ Construct program recruits, trains and employs motivated individuals to learn and work on-site with qualified trades people to prepare for a career in the construction industry.
- JAYU’s iAM free, eight-week employment arts and culture training program for equity-deserving youth opening them to access career paths that would have otherwise been unavailable to them.
- Shakespeare in Action’s Backstage Centre Technical Apprenticeship is an innovative performing arts technical skills development program that provides paid job training in theatre production for youth ages 15 to 30. Participants are mentored by industry professionals to gain unique and valuable experience they can bring with them into the workforce.
Thank you to all those who applied for funding. We’re looking forward to working with the above organizations to make a real difference in the communities we serve!