IBM and non-profit organization ACCES Employment have launched a collaboration making custom courses, projects, and personalized coaching available to more than 35,000 Canadians aiming to learn new skills and ultimately new jobs. TD Bank is lending additional support to this collaboration to fund programs that help women and newcomer IT professionals find career success in Canada.

According to Statistics Canada, Canada added nearly one million jobs in June, but there are still close to two million fewer jobs today than there were pre-COVID. The platform, available in English and French, will provide more than 7,000 courses designed to help Canadians develop vital professional skills, gain practical real-life experience and build their careers.

Need to provide Canadians with proper skills

"Some of the greatest challenges facing businesses today need skills that don't require a traditional degree. There is a critical need to make sure Canadians are gaining these meaningful skills that align to industry needs," said Claude Guay, IBM Canada president and general manager. "That's why, regardless of background, education or life experience, SkillsBuild will equip learners with the professional skills and mentorship they need to navigate the new digital economy."

In addition to its partnership with ACCES Employment and YES – Youth Employment Services, IBM is working with organizations across Canada to reignite the economy, including through the newly redesigned IBM Service Corps program which provides teams of 12-15 IBM employees with a leave of absence to help non-profits and civic leaders address complex and high priority issues in education and economic development.