“The network and the opportunities here at U of T have opened so many doors for me.” – UPIE participant Bobbie Williams
The University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (SCS) recently celebrated a major milestone: the completion of the first cohort of the Upskilling Program for Inclusive Excellence (UPIE), a national initiative that empowers Black Canadians to advance their careers.
Over the course of a year, 26 participants completed personalized selections of SCS courses, received career coaching, and connected with industry mentors, all fully funded through a generous gift from TD Bank Group.
For participant Bobbie Williams, the experience has been transformative. Prior to applying for the program, Williams was an economics graduate who had worked in marketing and strategic management. She had left her job and was ready to take on a new challenge.
That’s when she discovered the UPIE program and decided to pivot into data science. Now certified in data science, she plans on using her new skill set to work within the marine and climate industry to make a positive impact on the environment in Canada.
“I already knew opportunities were limitless, but the network and the opportunities here at U of T have opened so many doors for me,” she says.
“Even just meeting people at U of T, through my courses, or even randomly talking to someone in the library. It just opened so many doors for me to know I can do it and I will do it. I just need a group or community behind me and to say what I need and then there are people there to always help me. It has been truly amazing.”
SCS Dean Catherine Chandler-Crichlow says this is exactly what the program was designed to do for participants.
“It has been so gratifying to watch the participants in this program develop entirely new skill sets at the same time as they learn to recognize and use the knowledge and abilities they already have to carve out exciting new career paths,” she says.
“We wanted this program to be the start of a lasting network of life-changing support for our participants, and I’m very happy to see we have created just that.”
The first iteration of the program took place both online and in-person in the GTA. Over the course of a year, unemployed and underemployed participants worked their way through three stages of the program.
Participants began by exploring their skills, interests, and career goals through Career Wayfinding workshops, an optional educational credential assessment and English language proficiency testing, a CliftonStrengths assessment, Career Wayfinding Workshops, and a one-on-one career coaching session.
Focused on professional development, stage two included: a networking workshop, up to three micro-credentials, mentorship from industry leaders, and a second one-on-one coaching session to support strategic planning.
Stage three saw participants enroll in SCS courses aligned with individual career goals and participate in a Job Fair to connect with potential employers and network with other Black professionals
The results demonstrate the impact of this support. Participants took part in 77 micro-credentials and 94 courses at the School of Continuing Studies. The program began with 16 participants employed. By the end of the year, 22 participants were employed, and four had received promotions.
For SCS Assistant Dean, Lifelong Learning and Innovation, Juan Mavo Navarro, these outcomes are just the beginning.
“I’m confident that we’ll continue to hear more good news from our first group of participants as they use the skills and knowledge they’ve gained through UPIE to find fulfilling roles and expand their careers,” says Mavo Navarro. “We can’t wait to see future cohorts find this kind of success as well.”
The second cohort of UPIE is now underway, with applications for cohort 3, which will begin in May 2027 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, set to open this fall.
For more information about UPIE or to apply, please visit the University of Toronto Upskilling Program for Inclusive Excellence page.
