The Diversity Institute receives $2.4 million to launch ADaPT4Success to support diverse job seekers and employers
October 11, 2023, Toronto, ON: Toronto Metropolitan’s Diversity Institute at the Ted Rogers School of Management is building on its extensive research on small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) training needs and its skills development and job placement expertise for equity-deserving populations with a new program called ADaPT4Success.
ADaPT4Success is accepting applications from job seekers for employment skills training and work-integrated learning opportunities, and signing up employers to connect them to upskilled talent. The Diversity Institute program will also provide upskilling opportunities for existing employees of SMEs, focusing on training opportunities for women, racialized people, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities and newcomers, all of whom often face employment barriers.
Project funding through the Skills for Success Program (external link) of $2.4 million was announced (external link) today in Toronto by the honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages. Minister Boissonnault said, “We are providing Canadian workers with every opportunity to get the skills and resources they need to succeed in today’s workforce. Through major investments like this, we are ensuring that more Canadians break into the workforce and advance professionally in their careers, and that they do so with confidence.”
“Our research shows significant barriers to labour market preparation and participation exist for equity-deserving populations, while also revealing that there is an urgent need to bridge the skills gaps between small to medium size enterprises (SMEs) and workers across Canada,” said Wendy Cukier, professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy at the Ted Rogers School of Management, founder of the Diversity Institute and research lead for the Future Skills Centre and the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub. “The Government of Canada’s Skills for Success program provides evidence-based support to help erode employment barriers due to a lack of in-demand skills and can enable entrepreneurial success and innovation. We are pleased to have the opportunity and support to grow our programs and further contribute to the Diversity Institute’s expertise in research, training and skills development.”
ADaPT4Success leverages the Diversity Institute’s Advanced Digital and Professional Skills Training (external link) (ADaPT) program and will include training to support individuals to improve their foundational and transferable skills so that they can be better prepared to meet on-the-job demands. Focus will be placed on online training modules to improve communication, collaboration, adaptability, creativity and innovation, with an additional focus on digital skills and competencies.
The Diversity Institute will collaborate with SMEs to identify skills opportunities and provide equity, diversity and inclusion training with a goal to expand their talent pool opportunities. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) Learning Management System platform will also be leveraged to provide training to SMEs.