For updates on how the U.S tariffs impact the Vaughan business community, visit vaughanbusiness.ca/tariffs.
Talent City Vaughan
Talent City Vaughan offers micro grants to eligible non-profit community and social service organizations that provide Vaughan residents or employees of Vaughan based businesses with re-skilling, upskilling and other workforce development training programs.
Talent City Vaughan is a grant program designed to support workforce development within the City of Vaughan. The program provides grant funding for eligible non-profit community and social service organizations to host training programs for Vaughan residents or employees of Vaughan-based businesses. Programs can involve a wide range of micro-credentials, up-skilling and re-skilling programs that will allow Vaughan residents or employees of Vaughan based-businesses to meet the needs of the City’s growing economy. Applicants’ training programs must provide Vaughan residents or employees of Vaughan-based businesses with new skills that either help to secure gainful employment or remain employed at their current employer.
Eligible Organizations
- Registered not-for-profit organization
- Have historically offered training programs to communities for the purpose of workforce development
- Propose training that serves Vaughan residents or employees of Vaughan-based businesses
Ineligible Organizations
- For-profit-organizations
- Multi-level marketing organizations
Eligible Use of Funds
- Training and skills development programs for Vaughan residents and employees of Vaughan-based businesses
Ineligible Use of Funds
- For hiring of staff*
- To service existing debts
- To cover travel-related expenses**
- To cover general business operating expenses
*Funding can be used to hire an external trainer but only if those trainers’ sole responsibility is managing or running the proposed training program
**Transportation-related expenses for program participants may be considered depending on context surrounding travel-related expenses. I.e., if participants are required to attend a training session in a location that is not easily accessible. Transportation costs will need to be justifiable and within reason, please get approval from City staff.
Talent City Vaughan is accepting applications from now until April 30, 2025 at 4:30pm.
How to Apply
- Complete the “Talent City Vaughan Applicant Eligibility Form”
- Provide materials as listed in the “Talent City Vaughan 2025 Program Criteria” and submit to ed@vaughan.ca by April 30, 2025 at 4:30pm.
TALENT CITY VAUGHAN APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY FORM
TALENT CITY VAUGHAN 2025 PROGRAM CRITERIA
Have any questions? Economic Development staff will be hosting two information sessions between 12:00pm and 1:00pm on March 13 and April 14. Sign-up below.
Register for Information Session
Have questions about Talent City Vaughan? Please contact Yuelin Ge, Economic Development Officer at Yuelin.Ge@vaughan.ca.
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In 2022 Talent City Vaughan disbursed funding to seven community and social service organizations that hosted workforce development training for more than 140 Vaughan residents.
Elspeth Heyworth Centre for Women | Business Training for Interpreters
Professional training to work as an interpreter in the business, healthcare, legal, and medical sector and to operate as a freelance interpreter.
Human Endeavour | Job Readiness Program
Providing workplace skills training in bookkeeping, accounting, communication, email etiquette, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Humanity First | Lend a Hand, Learn a Skill
Professional development skills training for volunteers in warehouse management, customer/client service, and Microsoft Excel.
Kleinburg Nobleton Soccer Club | Youth Coach Development Program
Training to provide youth access to seasonal employment opportunities as community soccer coaches.
Memory Loss Foundation | Understanding Dementia & Montessori Approach for Dementia
Training for Personal Support Workers, Dietary Aid Workers, and Program Aid Workers on how to manage and care for individuals with dementia.
The Career Foundation | Furniture Manufacturing
Partnering with Vaughan-based furniture manufacturer, furniture upholstery training will be provided.
Vaughan International Film Festival | Post-Production Workshops
4 workshop sessions, focusing on the different stages of film/video post-production: colour science, VFX, sound mixing, and video editing.
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In 2023 Talent City Vaughan disbursed funding to nine community and social service organizations. For more information on organizations training programs please visit the links below.
Blue Door | Construct Program
Training program aimed at propelling individuals from Vaughan into careers in the skilled trade sector.
COSTI | Language Training at the Workplace
Programming aims to enhance the language skills of employees at Vaughan-based businesses or residents.
Elspeth Heyworth Centre for Women | Business Training for Interpreters
Professional training to work as an interpreter in the business, healthcare, legal, and medical sector and to operate as a freelance interpreter.
Humanity First | Lend a Hand, Learn a Skill
Professional development skills training for volunteers in warehouse management, customer/client service, and Microsoft Excel.
Kleinburg Nobleton Soccer Club | Youth Coach Development Program
Training to provide youth access to seasonal employment opportunities as community soccer coaches.
Memory Loss Foundation | Understanding Dementia & Montessori Approach for Dementia
Training for Personal Support Workers, Dietary Aid Workers, and Program Aid Workers on how to manage and care for individuals with dementia.
The Career Foundation | Skilled Trades Development Program
Training will include a trade careers awareness session, skills assessment, and a career discovery day. A paid internship will be offered to a minimum of 7 participants. Following this, a minimum of 5 participants will be selected for employment.
Vaughan International Film Festival | Film Industry Training
The training will be divided into multiple seminars covering various film industry topics including location sound mixing, micro-budget filmmaking, and film producing.
Woof a Palooza | Pet First Aid Program
Programming to upskill pet businesses including Veterinary Clinics, Pet Groomers, Dog Walkers, Dog Trainers, and Doggy Daycares to assist a dog in an emergency.
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In 2024 Talent City Vaughan disbursed funding to eight community and social service organizations.
Interested in registering for one of the below training programs? Please contact organizations directly to learn more about how you can participate.
Steel Toe Careers | Skilled Trades Training
Training program to support individuals from Vaughan into careers in the skilled trade sector with hands-on skills in home renovation, tools of the trade, and safety certifications.
Kleinburg Nobleton Soccer Club | Youth Coach Development Program
Training to provide youth access to seasonal employment opportunities as community soccer coaches.
Fuerza Latina Community Services | Youth Workforce Readiness Program
Programming aims to enhance professional development skills for job-seeking and job readiness.
Blue Door | Construct Program
Training program aimed at propelling individuals from Vaughan into careers in the skilled trade sector by providing hands-on entry-level training in various construction practices.
Ontario Tourism Education Corporation | Tourism Customer Service Training
In partnership with Vaughan-based businesses, programming to upskill employees in the tourism and hospitality sector with de-escalation training and coaching.
Wood Manufacturing Council | Wood Manufacturing Upskilling
Programming to upskill employees of a partnering cabinetry company with a series of workshops on entry-level skills in wood manufacturing.
Elspeth Heyworth Centre for Women | Business Training for Interpreters
Professional training to work as an interpreter in the business, healthcare, legal, and medical sector and to operate as a freelance interpreter.
Woof-a-Palooza | Pet First Aid Program
Programming to upskill pet businesses including Veterinary Clinics, Pet Groomers, Dog Walkers, Dog Trainers, and Doggy Daycares to assist a dog in an emergency.