Province earmarks $3.5-million for tech training program focusing on Black entrepreneurship

Queen’s Park is pledging funds to help jobseekers pick up skills in technology fields, with a focus on Black entrepreneurship.

Officials gathered Wednesday in Toronto to announce a $3.5-million program in partnership with the Dream Legacy Foundation, a philanthropic group whose aim is to foster Black entrepreneurship in tech.

It will offer learning opportunities in various sectors, including skilled trades and technician work. Participants will also get experience with app development, coding and design principles and virtual reality.

About 800 people will have access to the program.

“As one of the largest innovation and tech clusters in North America, Ontario’s highly skilled workers are the engine of our economy,” said Ajax MPP Patrice Barnes in a release. “That is why our government continues to make record investments through our Skills Development Fund to ensure all Ontarians have the opportunity to thrive, no matter your background.”

Screencap taken from Government of Ontario livestream