Today marks a significant milestone as NPower Canada announces the continued co-investment of DIGITAL, working together with Microsoft and the CIBC Foundation, of $2 million to scale the Canadian Tech Talent Accelerator (CTTA). This initiative is designed to launch more than 6,000 job-seekers across Canada into meaningful careers in tech.
Launched in January 2021, the CTTA has been at the forefront of Canada’s post-pandemic economic recovery efforts, helping to bridge the talent gap by providing underserved job-seekers with essential digital skills, certifications, and job placement support. To date, the CTTA has enabled over 3,300 diverse job-seekers to enroll in NPower Canada’s workforce development program nationwide, with an impressive 80% of program graduates securing meaningful and sustainable employment within six months.
Representatives from NPower Canada, DIGITAL, Microsoft, and the CIBC Foundation gathered today at Microsoft’s vibrant downtown Vancouver office, to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of the CTTA and unveil the next phase of their alliance, as additionally funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program.
Julia Blackburn, CEO, NPower Canada, expressed her enthusiasm for the continued collaboration: “Our transformative relationship with DIGITAL, Microsoft, and the CIBC Foundation has already changed the lives of thousands of deserving job-seekers, launching them into sustainable Tech and Tech-enabled careers through our free workforce development program. This new commitment will enable us to continue to further scale our efforts and provide opportunities for those who need it the most.”
In this next phase of the CTTA, NPower Canada will leverage Microsoft’s best-in-class curricula to introduce an innovative skilling program in cybersecurity, while continuing to offer its existing core programs focused in Data Analytics and Visualization, IT Service Management, and Artificial Intelligence. Investing in the next generation of tech talent provides local employers from coast-to-coast with a more diverse and inclusive digital talent pipeline equipped with in-demand digital and AI skills.
Furthermore, this substantial investment will allow NPower Canada to enhance its capacity and impact in responding to the Truth and Reconciliation calls to Action, with a specific focus on closing the educational and employment disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
The alliance between NPower Canada, DIGITAL, Microsoft, and the CIBC Foundation represents a collective commitment to fueling Canada’s tech industry with highly skilled and diverse talent, laying the foundation for a thriving digital future and a more equitable and diverse tech workforce.
Quotes:
“Supporting equity and diversity within Canada’s technology sector is crucial to our country’s continued growth and prosperity. By building accessible pathways to digital jobs, the Canadian Tech Talent Accelerator is launching thousands of job-seekers across Canada into their future careers. DIGITAL is proud to continue our alliance with the Canadian Tech Talent Accelerator, working alongside industry leaders like Microsoft and NPower Canada, to expand their growing impact.” – Sydney Goodfellow, Director of DIGITAL’s talent-focused program, the Digital Learning Lab.
“We are proud to be part of the Canadian Tech Talent Accelerator that will empower more people to access the benefits of today’s digital economy. Working together with the nonprofit and workforce development organizations, we are providing the essential digital and AI training to help prepare Canadians for rewarding careers, while building a stronger, more diverse tech sector,” – Chris Barry, President, Microsoft Canada
“The CIBC Foundation serves our commitment to creating a world where everyone has access to opportunities to achieve their ambitions. This initiative is an important part of the Foundation’s work to increase access to education and employment outcomes for underserved communities and build a more inclusive economy.” – Sandy Sharman, Group Head, People, Culture and Brand, CIBC, and Co-Chair, CIBC Foundation.
For further information: For media inquiries, please contact: Emilie Jones, Manager of Communications & Engagement, NPower Canada, [email protected], 647-689-5850 ext 230; Sydney Redpath, Director of Communications, DIGITAL, [email protected]
