- From providing employment opportunities to Ukrainian newcomers and mentoring for jobs in aviation to opening pathways to careers in the arts, our commitment to surrounding communities has never been stronger. -

After an extensive evaluation period, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) has announced the recipients of its 2022 Uplift Fund. Six organizations have received a total of $387,000 for programs designed to break down barriers to employment and cultivate opportunity for communities around Toronto Pearson.

The six 2022 organizations are:

The Urban Pilots Network's Top Flyers Canada program prepares Black and racialized youth for entry-level employment with leading aviation agencies.

ACCES Employment's Ukrainian Newcomer Assistance Program will provides employment service supports to recent Ukrainian newcomers, to help secure employment and succeed at meaningful employment in the GTA.

Brands for Canada's Suitable Impressions Program is a first impressions-focused employment program that coaches participants to succeed in a job interview.

Blue Door Support Services' Construct Program recruits, trains and employs motivated individuals to learn and work on-site with qualified tradespeople to prepare for a career in the construction industry.

JAYU's iAM is a free, eight-week employment arts and culture training program for equity-deserving youth which allows them to access career paths that would have otherwise been unavailable to them.

Shakespeare in Action's Backstage Centre Technical Apprenticeship is an innovative performing arts technical skills development program that provides paid job training in theatre production for youth aged 15 to 30. Participants are mentored by industry professionals to gain unique and valuable experience they can bring with them into the workforce.

The Uplift Fundβ€”part of the GTAA's community investment program, the Propeller Projectβ€”has been investing and partnering in programming, advocacy and research to support local area residents to gain the skills, connections and opportunities needed to be meaningfully employed since 2018. Given the dramatic effects that COVID-19 has had on employment in the communities Toronto Pearson serves, never before has support of this nature been more important.

"We're delighted to announce this year's Uplift Fund recipients, who work to lift up the communities we serve," said Robyn Connelly, Director, Sustainability and Social Impact, GTAA. "Although COVID-19 has had a significant impact on our business, it has also disproportionally impacted our neighbours. We're looking forward to working collaboratively with these like-minded organizations to address underemployment, and in doing so support a strong post-pandemic recovery for the Greater Toronto Area."

SOURCE: Greater Toronto Airports Authority

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