📋 Tender Overview
Today the Honourable Mlanie Joly Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario announced an investment of over 5.8 million for Elevate to launch a new and innovative job success program Elevate Talent. She was joined by Mayor John Tory who announced additional support for Elevate from the City of Toronto. This comprehensive program will reskill 5300 job seekers from underrepresented communities including Black Indigenous People of Colour 2SLGBTQ and Francophone professionals in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area and match them with job openings in technology and innovation-based organizations start-ups and the creative industries.For too long members of underrepresented groups have experienced unique and systemic hurdles to their career advancement. Now after facing disproportionate impacts of the pandemic individuals in these communities need support more than ever said the Honourable Mlanie Joly Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister Responsible for FedDev Ontario. With todays investment for Elevate our message is clear we are here to support a strong skilled diverse and inclusive economy for everyone.Complementing FedDev Ontarios investment the City of Toronto is providing 350000 in funding toward community programming and initiatives including Elevate Talent. This builds on the Citys 350000 investment towards Elevate programming in 2020 as well as annual support from 2017 to 2019 toward the Elevate Tech festival which brings the innovation ecosystem together and creates a platform to raise the profile of Torontos booming technology sector. Collaborating with partners like Elevate will play a key role in the reopening and recovery of our economy post-pandemic. I am pleased that the city is able to support this new initiative and with the help of the federal governments funding commitment we will see the creation of thousands of new jobs and opportunities for some of our citys most vulnerable communities said Mayor John Tory City of Toronto. This innovative approach will allow us to take advantage of our booming tech industry world-renowned post-secondary institutions and community partners to ensure that everyone is a part of our economic recovery.Increasing representation in Canadas tech sector needs all the support we can generate. We know there are roles to fill and we also know we have untapped talent disconnected from opportunities. In 2019 we connected thousands of jobseekers with meaningful employment in the tech sector. Today were excited to expand on that program and focus on groups that have been historically under-served said Razor Suleman CEO and Co-Founder of Elevate. We have a lot of work to do so that our tech and innovation sector reflects the diverse makeup of our communities and were thrilled to launch Elevate Talent to provide pathways to real jobs.Elevate a purpose-driven not-for-profit supports businesses to scale-up and connects talent to foster a culture of innovation and collaboration across the country.By piloting a collaborative model with key community learning and hiring partners this project will provide targeted training to build job-specific skills fill the gaps in technical skills learning and match participants with the more than 70000 open jobs in the GTHAs technology sector.Its never been more important to be a values-first leader believes Margaret Stuart Country Manager at Salesforce Canada and Co-Chair of Elevate Talent. To keep pace with changes to the ways we work and learn businesses have a role to play in reducing barriers to reskilling. People need access to the technologies and skills necessary to land a job regardless of what their background may be. Thats why the Elevate Talent initiative is so important. It shines a light on how we must create equal and equitable workplaces that reflect the diverse communities around us where everyone feels empowered to succeed.Through important investments such as this one the Government of Canada is taking the next steps towards long-term foundational change for a more inclusive Canada and to support a vibrant tech and innovation sector that reflects the diverse makeup of our communities.QuotesThere is a glut of available tech jobs out there and the issue with filling these opportunities isnt that the ecosystem is lacking people with talent or ambition its that the system is failing to give them access to opportunities. Thats where Elevate Talent comes in.- Claudette McGowan Global Executive Officer TD Bank and Elevate Talent Co-ChairElevate is working with grassroots organizations to connect talent from underrepresented groups with the tailored support they need. This significant FedDev Ontario investment is supporting new opportunities for members of under-represented communities to participate in and benefit from the fast growing technology sector.- Adam Vaughan Member of Parliament for SpadinaFort YorkElevate understands the importance of promoting diversity and inclusivity in the tech sector. With this new initiative Elevate will work closely with key community-based organizations to broaden the programs impact.- Marci Ien Member of Parliament for Toronto CentreThe incredible thing about Elevate Talent is that it is designed by members of the groups who share the lived experiences of the people this program aims to support. Were so excited to be a partner in this program giving participants access to career paths in digital technology and opening up opportunities to competitive earnings that they deserve.- Angela Carter Executive Director at Roots Community Services
