TORONTO, CANADA, 2018-Oct-02 — /Travel PR News/ — Toronto Pearson International Airport and NPower Canada are partnering to provide 120 low-income young adults in Peel Region with free technical and professional skills training, job placement and career laddering services. The $50,000 grant from the airport will help connect students to meaningful careers and assist with addressing the issue of underemployment in the airport employment zone.
Nearly two million residents live in the airport employment zone, which is the second largest employment zone in the country. However, nearly half of those with a post-secondary degree are working in jobs that are well below their skill level.
NPower Canada’s programming is aimed at proactively addressing the issue of underemployment by equipping low-income, diverse youth with the in-demand digital and professional skills required by IT employers. They also work to connect their students with rewarding career opportunities with some of Canada’s largest employers and support their long-term career progression. This will empower youth and their families to emerge from poverty, secure stable housing and overcome other systemic barriers.
”The employment zone around Toronto Pearson has higher than average underemployment rates compared to that of the GTA. In partnering with NPower Canada, Toronto Pearson is helping to create equal access to meaningful employment opportunities for our neighbours’. Together, this partnership will help make our communities stronger and bring our neighbours dreams within reach,” said Hillary Marshall, Vice President Stakeholder Relations and Communications, GTAA.
“We are so pleased to be entering into this new partnership with the GTAA. The support we have received from them to launch Peel Region youth into meaningful careers will truly make a difference in the community,” said Julia Blackburn, Chief Executive Officer, NPower Canada. “This grant will help transform the lives and careers of our most vulnerable youth and their families.”
NPower Canada
NPower Canada reduces poverty in Canada by addressing youth unemployment through its sector-based workforce development program. NPower Canada launches low-income, diverse young adults ages 18-29 into meaningful careers in technology (IT) by providing free technical and professional training, job placement and 5 years of post-hire supports. More than 80 per cent of alumni to date are employed and/or in post secondary education within six months of program completion. NPower Canada is known for its agile, employer-driven model, having been championed as a CivicAction Escalator initiative and receiving the City of Toronto Partnership to Advance Youth Employment (PAYE) Leadership Award.
About Toronto Pearson
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is the operator of Toronto Pearson International Airport. The GTAA’s vision is to make Toronto Pearson the best airport in the world. Towards this objective, the GTAA focuses on ensuring the safety and security of passengers and airport employees, enhancing the passenger experience and supporting the success of its airline partners. Toronto Pearson served more than 47 million passengers in 2017, making it Canada’s largest airport and the second-busiest North American international airport.
The area around Toronto Pearson is the second-largest employment zone in Canada. The airport facilitates 6.3% per cent of Ontario’s GDP, directly employs 49,000 people and facilitates more than 300,000 jobs throughout the province of Ontario. Toronto Pearson believes that being a good neighbour means growing together with the communities it serves. To this end, the airport invests in social good and community-building initiatives through its community investment program, The Propeller Project.
For more information please visit Toronto Pearson on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
Media Contacts:
Natalie Moncur
Toronto Pearson International Airport
Natalie.moncur@gtaa.com
416-776-3709
Carly Dwyer
NPower Canada
Carly.Dwyer@npowercanada.ca
647-689-5850 x106
Source: Toronto Pearson International Airport