Introducing Black Canadians to Tech Skills & Jobs

How We Are Solving It

Through an empowering approach of comprehensive technology skills training, mentorship and target job placement: World Innovation League seeks to elevate the representation of Black Canadians and new immigrants in essential tech roles by 50% over the next five years. Their programming tackles the shortage of diverse talent in high-growth fields of artificial intelligence (AI), financial technology, workplace technologies, cybersecurity and healthcare technology. 

The program focuses on developing expertise for Black Canadian youth in the following core areas: 

• Software Development: Equipping learners with coding proficiency to contribute effectively to software projects. 
• User Experience Design: Developing skills in designing user-friendly and engaging digital interfaces. 
• Product Management: Providing a deep understanding of project management and business analytics to lead tech initiatives. 

The program also provides participants with mentorship, employment connections and host hackathons for hands-on experience with tangible outputs for their portfolios and opportunities to enhance employability. Participant experiences and outcomes are documented to contribute to Canada’s national dialogue on opportunities for Black Canadians in tech, as well as enhancing a Canadian-centric playbook for milestone-based learning and hackathons that are adapted and used by other organizations for upskilling initiatives. 

The Result

DIGITAL’s co-investment with the World Innovation League (WIL) strengthened Canada’s digital talent pipeline by expanding access to technology training and employment pathways for Black Canadian and immigrant youth. 

Beginning in 2023, the initiative supported the delivery of WIL’s Diverse Tech Talent Program (DTTP), which exceeded its original targets and provided training in web development, UI/UX design, and product management to 500 participants. Through a combination of mentorship programs and hackathons, 400 participants strengthened their professional portfolios and CVs, improving their competitiveness in Canada’s technology job market. 

The program was developed in close collaboration with industry, engaging 55 employers to review curriculum, mentor participants, and provide project-based work opportunities aligned with real workforce needs. As a result, 340 participants gained targeted project-based work experience across high-growth sectors including artificial intelligence, fintech, cybersecurity, and health technology, helping participants build practical industry experience while supporting employer access to emerging talent. 

Building on this success, the initiative expanded in 2025 through the Introducing Black Canadians to Tech Skills & Jobs project, which equipped 290 participants with practical, in-demand digital skills through hands-on training, mentorship, and employer engagement. With 94% of participants identifying as members of equity-deserving groups, the program significantly expanded representation within Canada’s growing digital workforce. 

The project achieved 192 verified employment outcomes within 12 months, demonstrating the effectiveness of an inclusive training-to-employment model that combined technical skills development with applied learning and industry mentorship. 

Through partnerships with 32 employers and multiple training and ecosystem partners, the initiative strengthened collaboration between industry and workforce development organizations while creating durable talent pipelines for diverse technology professionals. 

By activating underutilized talent and connecting participants with real employment opportunities, the project helped address critical technology sector skills shortages while advancing inclusion within Canada’s innovation economy and strengthening the country’s long-term digital competitiveness.