About Us
Where skills meet opportunity.
Skillcity Institute is a Canadian nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to expanding equitable pathways to education, skills, and economic opportunity for youth, newcomers, and underserved communities.
FOUNDED 2015.
Building Alberta’s Future Workforce
6,000+
Youth & newcomers engaged
1,200+
Work-integrated learning roles
~71%
Progress to employment or education
10+
Years of community-rooted impacts
WHO WE ARE
More than programs.
A movement for equity.
Founded in 2015, Skillcity Institute was established to address systemic barriers that prevent many youth, newcomers, and underserved communities from accessing high-value career pathways particularly in rapidly evolving sectors such as STEM, technology, and the future workforce.
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Over the years, Skillcity has developed innovative programs that combine career literacy, experiential learning, STEM talent development, and workforce readiness training.
Through partnerships with schools, community organizations, employers, and public institutions, we deliver hands-on learning experiences that build durable skills and connect participants to emerging industries.
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Today, Skillcity continues to evolve as a future-skills and workforce innovation hub developing models that connect communities to opportunity while supporting inclusive talent development for Canada’s changing economy.
WHO WE SERVE
Youth (upper elementary through post-secondary), newcomers, racialized communities, neurodivergent learners, low-income families, educators, employers seeking diverse talent pipelines
OUR APPROACH
We integrate frontline programming with systemic change combining direct youth engagement with policy advocacy and workforce innovation that tackles root barriers.
OUR UNIQUE EDGE
80% of our leadership and board reflect the lived experiences of communities we serve ensuring authentic, community-rooted design in everything we do.
Our Mission
Skillcity Institute creates inclusive pathways to prosperity for youth and individuals from equity-deserving communities through durable skills development, STEM education, and careers pathways that enable upward economic mobility. By strengthening support systems, connections, and access to opportunity, we help individuals and communities thrive in a rapidly changing economy.
Our Vision
A world where every individual regardless of background, identity, or ability has access to the skills, support, and opportunities to participate progressively in a dynamic economic.
What We Stand For
Equity & Inclusion
Access and belonging for all
Innovation
Forward-thinking approaches
Collaboration
Bridges across systems
Agility
Adapting to workforce demands
Impact
Lives changed, systems improved
OUR IMPACT
Outcomes that speak for themselves
6,000+
Participants Engaged
Youth and newcomers served across all programs
71%
Percentage Rate
Into employment, post-secondary, or career aligned training
1,200+
Work-Integrated Roles
Mentorship, facilitation & experiential learning placements
50+
STEM Mentors
Professional engaged across career and STEM programs
PROGRAM ARCHITECTURE
Four pillars. One mission.
Our integrated program model moves participants from foundational skills through to workforce integration and systemic change a deliberate pipeline built for lasting impact.
PIPELINE BUILDER
Career Education & Life Skills
From upper elementary students to young adults, we deliver practical training in Career readiness, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, social-emotional learning, bridging classroom learning to workforce realities
Impact: A Grade 7 student discovers environmental engineering, connects with mentors, and enters post-secondary career-aligned and confident.
SPECIALIZATION ACCELERATOR
STEM Talent Development
Through immersive labs in coding, robotics, AI, and engineering design, Skillcity nurtures the next generation of STEM innovators.
Impact: 70% of participants report increased interest in STEM careers; 60% of racialized participants pursue STEM post-program
REVENUE ENGINE
Workforce Development Services
We bridge the gap between education and employment through tailored training, upskilling, and school-to-work transition programs aligned with employer demand.
Impact: Employer partners report higher graduate retention and satisfaction, reducing recruitment costs and strengthening inclusive talent pipelines.
SYSTEMS TRANSFORMATION
Systems Change & Community Empowerment
We bridge the gap between education and employment through tailored training, upskilling, and school-to-work transition programs aligned with employer demand.
Impact: Employer partners report higher graduate retention and satisfaction, reducing recruitment costs and strengthening inclusive talent pipelines.
Strategic Partnerships
Skillcity collaborates with cross-sector partners to strengthen education-to-employment systems and expand access to opportunity.
