Upskilling Program for Inclusive Excellence
Discovery. Connection. Community:
Upgrade Your Skills at SCS.
The Upskilling Program for Inclusive Excellence (UPIE) is a groundbreaking national initiative led by the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (SCS) that empowers Black Canadians to thrive in today’s dynamic professional landscape. Thanks to a generous gift from TD Bank Group, UPIE offers free targeted training, personalized career support, and meaningful mentorship. The program aims to reduce income inequality and open doors to long-term economic mobility. Participants will gain in-demand skills and resources, valuable connections, and the confidence to achieve their professional goals.
About the program
| 1. Career Transition Support | 2. Financial Support | 3. Coaching and Mentoring | 4. Personalized Upskilling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participants will access job readiness activities designed to enhance understanding of their core skills, competencies, and strengths. These services are intended to build confidence in articulating professional experiences and capabilities. | Allocated funding will provide wraparound financial assistance to help offset costs such as childcare, professional attire, transportation, and technology. Additional support is designated for travel to three in-person events. A Learning Accessibility Fund is also available to cover expenses related to notetaking services and assistive technologies. | Participants will receive career and life guidance from professionals and leaders across various sectors. An advisory group of senior Black professionals will assist in identifying and recruiting mentors from relevant industries. | Participants, with support from program staff, will have the option to receive assessments to better understand the equivalency of their past education/credentials, and assessments from our English Language Program to better understand their professional language proficiency. Participants will build their transferable skills by successfully completing micro-credentials and other SCS courses. |
The program is organized into three stages:
Stage A
Optional educational credential assessment and English language proficiency testing. All participants will complete the CliftonStrengths assessment, Career Wayfinding Workshops, an Alternative Careers Workshop, and a one-on-one career coaching session.
Stage B
Focused on professional development, this stage includes: 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 C
Participants will receive funding to enroll in SCS courses aligned with individual career goals. This stage includes participation in a Job Fair to connect with potential employers and network with other Black professionals.
Eligibility Criteria
- Minimum age of 25 years by Dec. 31, 2025
- Self-identification as a Black Canadian, including:
- Canadian Citizens
- Canadian Permanent Residents
- Protected Persons
- Status of being unemployed for up to 3 years or currently underemployed (i.e. you possess higher knowledge, skills, and abilities than required for your current position/job)
English Language Proficiency
A Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 6 in English is recommended. This level reflects an intermediate level of English proficiency, where individuals can understand and communicate effectively in everyday situations, including work and community settings. At this level, individuals can understand moderately complex authentic social messages, business texts, and reference sources, and they can also produce simple business correspondence and routine paragraphs. Finally, they can also adapt their speech to reflect different levels of formality and utilize some idioms and cultural references.
Time commitment
The program spans one year on a part-time basis, with approximately 95% of activities delivered online. A commitment of 8–10 hours per week is expected for participation in classes and related activities.
How to apply to this program
Applicants must submit the following:
- Completed application form with eligibility information
- Statement of interest
- Updated résumé
- Reference letters
Program funding is limited and not guaranteed. Applications will be reviewed by an Awards Committee, with decisions based on program criteria and available funding. Selected applicants will be notified via email within 2–3 weeks of submission.
Program Cost
This program was developed as a result of a generous donation from TD Bank Group to the University of Toronto. As such, tuition for this program is fully covered for the selected successful applicants. Please note that funding received is considered a taxable benefit, and a T4A slip will be issued by the University of Toronto.
Important Dates
- Application Period: June 12 2025 – July 13th (11:59PM), 2025
- Notification of Acceptance: Week of July 21, 2025
- Program Duration: August 2025 – August 2026
- Location: First cohort is limited to residents of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA)