Humber and The King’s Trust Canada (TKTC) have partnered to develop state-of-the-art skills courses designed to provide young people with the skills needed for the job market.

Humber and TKTC, a national charity that creates pathways to employment for young people facing barriers by providing free skills training, work experience and networking opportunities, have announced a strategic partnership to create courses for TKTC’s new program, The Skills Academy.  

Launching this fall, The Skills Academy will teach in-demand workplace skills such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. The goal is to enhance the competitiveness and employability of young people aged 18 to 25 facing barriers to employment in a fast, accessible, and engaging manner.  

This will help address the urgent need for young people to acquire the skills demanded by today's job market.

“Today, 860,000 young people are not in education, employment, or training, facing reduced earning potential, mental health challenges and social division,” said Farah Mohamed, CEO of The King’s Trust Canada, “Meanwhile, 59 percent of businesses report difficulty hiring young candidates because of a skills gap and nearly three-quarters of young people are off track to acquire the skills needed for employment. Canada is experiencing a silent crisis of youth underemployment, and all sectors must come to the table, just as TKTC and Humber have, to find solutions.”

The announcement aligns with World Youth Skills Day, a global initiative celebrating the importance of empowering youth through skills education. The theme for World Youth Skills Day 2024 is Youth Skills for Peace and Development, which highlights the important role young people play in peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts.

Both Humber and TKTC recognize the need to address the skills gap to ensure that today's youth are well-prepared to thrive in tomorrow’s workforce and that skills development can play an important role for the economy, society and the quality of life for young people.

"For decades, Humber has been dedicated to empowering youth by providing access to post-secondary education, enabling them to succeed and become global citizens,” said Ann Marie Vaughan, president and CEO of Humber. “Our partnership with The King's Trust Canada to develop The Skills Academy marks a significant step in our ongoing efforts to equip young people with the essential employability skills they need to thrive in an ever-evolving job market."

Should program learners be successful in their assessments, they are eligible for up to five micro-credentials and a certification from Humber.