Building capacity in Black communities.
The Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative (SBCCI) is a federal program delivered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). It was created in 2019. SBCCI builds capacity in Black communities across Canada, brings Black voices into the policies and programs that affect them, and removes barriers caused by anti-Black racism and other systemic inequities. Through its Emerging Priorities stream, SBCCI funds projects led by Black communities that respond to needs those communities have identified themselves.
With SBCCI funding, YAAACE is delivering its Labour Market Intervention Strategy (LMIS) from June 2026 to March 2027. The strategy addresses the socio-economic needs of Black, equity-denied and justice-involved youth across the Greater Toronto Area. It strengthens academic foundations, expands career pathways, and connects Black youth to education, mentorship and employment in high-growth sectors:
- AI
- Cybersecurity
- Energy
- Mining
- Skilled trades
What It Offers
Hire Learning, five pillars
At the centre of the work is Hire Learning, YAAACE's education-to-employment strategy. Hire Learning starts from a simple idea: academic proficiency is the foundation of a career. It connects young people to the skills employers need through co-ops, internships, mentorships and job placements. The LMIS delivers Hire Learning through five pillars:
Career Foundations
Remedial and in-school math instruction, Spirit of Math skills and drills, evening and weekend literacy and numeracy programs, YAAACE's Summer Institute, and a digital skills curriculum in AI, cybersecurity and emerging technologies.
Career Launch
Post-secondary campus tours, career exploration, and worksite visits with public- and private-sector employers in priority economic sectors.
Career Advance
Co-op placements, internships and job placements, developed with school boards, employers and industry partners.
Career Innovate
Entrepreneurship workshops, mentorship, and resources that help young people turn ideas into viable ventures.
Career Connect
A large experiential learning and networking event that brings together Black youth, educators, employers, mentors and community leaders.
Our Goal
The change we are working towards.
Canada is making major investments in its workforce. YAAACE is working to make sure Black youth are part of building it.
100,000
Team Canada Strong
The federal government's nationwide plan, announced in April 2026, to recruit, train and hire up to 100,000 skilled trades workers for housing, energy, infrastructure and defence.
2×
Nuclear Energy Strategy for Canada
A goal of doubling Canada's nuclear workforce as the country builds new reactors and grows its CANDU exports.
YAAACE is helping build both strategies from the ground up. Through Hire Learning, the LMIS and our nuclear energy workforce initiative under Career Launch Canada, we connect Black youth in Jane-Finch and across the GTA with partners in nuclear energy, the skilled trades, colleges and universities, and prepare them for the careers these strategies will create.
The change we want is lasting:
- 01
More Black youth who are academically ready and employment-ready
- 02
Wider access to post-secondary education, the skilled trades and entrepreneurship
- 03
Less socio-economic insecurity
- 04
Stronger social, economic and cultural inclusion through real connections to industry and the labour market
Get in Touch
Questions about SBCCI?