Canada launches a major youth skills funding for digital economy transition

The Government of Canada has announced a C$23.8 million funding initiative to strengthen youth skills for the evolving digital economy through the Digital Skills for Youth programme.

The announcement, led by Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, forms part of a broader effort to prepare younger generations for technological change across the labour market.

The initiative will support training and work experience opportunities for post-secondary graduates, with a focus on emerging fields such as AI, cybersecurity, big data, and automation. By connecting young people with employers, the programme aims to narrow the gap between education and the practical digital skills needed in modern industries.

Funding will be distributed over two years and is open to a wide range of organisations, including for-profit and not-for-profit organisations, public institutions, Indigenous organisations, and provincial or territorial bodies. The programme also includes a flexibility measure for participants in Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, where post-secondary education is not required.

The initiative builds on earlier rounds of the programme, which have already supported 6,900 youth internships across Canada since 2018.

Authorities say digital transformation is reshaping employment structures, making targeted skills development increasingly important. In that sense, the initiative is aimed not only at improving employability but also at helping prevent wider inequalities in access to technology-driven opportunities.

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