TORONTO, November 27, 2023 – Today, Upskill Canada is announcing the signing of a first wave of partnership agreements that are taking an industry-oriented approach to supporting Canadian workers. These agreements will help thousands of workers find new careers through skills training and job placement in some of the fastest-growing industries in Canada.
Supported by funding from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s (ISED) Upskilling for Industry Initiative, more than 15,000 Canadian workers will benefit from an innovative approach to skills training. Central to the Upskill Canada initiative is the role of community training providers, who work closely with local and national employers to identify precise suites of skills being sought by industry. Equipping workers with these skills will create new career pathways for Canadians and better position Canadian companies to compete both domestically and internationally.
Upskill Canada believes in the power and potential of Canadian workers. By equipping people with the technical skills needed to succeed in cutting-edge new careers, we empower workers and industry to thrive in the modern global economy.
Quick Facts
- Supported by $71 million in funding, the inaugural class of 5,500 workers will receive industry-guided training in such high-demand sectors as biomanufacturing, digital technology, and cybersecurity.
- Seventeen funding agreements have been approved.
- A complete list of programs and training providers is included in this release.
Quotes
“We’re so proud to formally launch Upskill Canada with our inaugural class of workers and training service providers. This is a big first step – but it’s only the beginning. We’re looking forward to working with our supporters in government and industry to upskill many more Canadians so they can transition into high-demand roles in the modern workforce – and help fast-growing companies achieve their full potential.” – Rhonda Barnet, CEO of Palette Skills, which was chosen by ISED to run the Upskill Canada initiative
“Our government knows that our country’s greatest strength is our people, and we are focused on ensuring that our people have the skills they need to compete in the modern global economy. That is why we are pleased to support Palette Skills through the Upskilling for Industry initiative. This initiative will help to ensure that Canadians are trained to work in the fastest growing areas of our economy, and that employers have access to the workforce they need today, to compete in the global economy of tomorrow.” -The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
To learn more, visit https://paletteskills.org/upskillcanadaprograms.
About Upskill Canada
Upskill Canada is a national talent platform that helps fast-growing companies access the talent they need to compete and succeed globally, while creating new career pathways for workers to rapidly transition into high-demand roles. Upskill Canada will target all regions of the country and support Canadian-based employers, with a particular focus on small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It will focus on strengthening key growth sectors, including digital technology, cybersecurity, agricultural technology, advanced manufacturing, clean technology and biomanufacturing.
About Palette Skills
Palette Skills is a national nonprofit whose purpose is to help Canada’s most innovative companies access untapped talent through industry-led rapid upskilling programs. Powered by a consortium of national business associations, leading academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations, Palette works to catalyze a network of partners to adopt new best practices in industry-led upskilling approaches. Palette Skills is hosted at the University of Toronto.
For more information or media inquiries, please contact:
Alexandra Yallouz
Senior Advisor, Communications and Public Relations
Palette Skills
alex@paletteskills.org
