Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) is launching a new research project to improve workforce accessibility and productivity for youth with disabilities.
The Skills For Success project will support the inclusion of an untapped talent pipeline by increasing workforce accessibility for people with disabilities. Addressing this need is part of BHER's commitment to leading the conversation on skills, talent, and innovation and building a strong economic future for Canada.
BHER has received nearly $2 million in funding from the Government of Canada, through Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), to run Skills For Success. The project will audit existing skills assessment and articulation tools for young Canadians with disabilities, as well as develop new inclusive resources based on updated findings.
“Young people with disabilities face challenges when it comes to articulating their skills, navigating hiring processes, or having their abilities fairly assessed by employers,” says Val Walker, BHER’s Chief Executive Officer. “This study will help identify concrete ways to improve productivity.”
As Canada’s leading cross-sector convenor and driver of change, BHER is leading the conversation on skills, talent, and innovation, with our members and on their behalf, while building capacity in Canada’s skills and talent ecosystems to improve the quality of life for all Canadians. Skills For Success is another way for us to extend our work and impact. It leverages BHER’s growing R&D team, relationships with accessibility leaders within our member organizations, as well as accessibility partners like the National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS) and tech partners like eCampus Ontario.
“Every young person in Canada deserves a fair shot at success—including youth with disabilities. Through this investment in BHER’s Skills For Success project, we’re helping to remove barriers, build inclusive hiring practices, and unlock the full potential of a talented generation ready to contribute to Canada’s future.” - The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Federal Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.
The Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization bringing together some of Canada’s largest companies and leading post-secondary institutions. Since 2015, BHER has worked to harness the strengths of Canada’s business and post-secondary education sectors to build opportunities for young Canadians, boost innovation and drive collaboration. Learn more at www.bher.ca.