NorQuest College receives donation from TD Bank Group to connect workers to new careers

Sponsorship of a program supporting employment for mid-career workers is opening doors to lifelong employment for Alberta workers.

NorQuest College has received a grant of $150,000 from TD Bank Group to support Career Connect. This successful program is aimed at supporting mid-career workers in their transition to new employment and career opportunities. The generous support from TD will help 25 participants per year over three years to gain new skills through a self-paced program that supports displaced workers in their transition to new employment or further education and training.

The Career Connect cohort, launching August 2022, will prioritize entry of equity seeking groups to this in-demand program.

“This sponsorship from TD means incredible opportunities for learners at NorQuest, but also ensures a pipeline of educated and skilled workers is available to employers to help their businesses succeed,” says Norma Schneider, Vice President Academic, NorQuest College.

Honoring community leaders

Participants in the 4- to 8-month Career Connect program will develop skills for lifelong employability through skill development workshops and one-on-one career coaching, build their experience and networks through work-integrated learning panels and events, and explore career opportunities to connect to employment or further education. Graduates will leave the program with a digital badge demonstrating their accomplishment.

"We are so proud to support NorQuest College and the Career Connect program," said Uma Venkataramaiah, Senior Manager, Philanthropy (Canada), Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship, TD Bank Group. "Through the TD Ready Commitment, our global corporate citizenship strategy, we believe in helping create the conditions people need to succeed and fully participate in a changing world. The Career Connect program does exactly that – helping to train and transform individuals for the dynamically changing employment landscape."

The original cohort of NorQuest’s Career Connect program was successfully completed in June 2021, after supporting 126 Albertans through this project. TD's support will allow for  unemployed or under-employed in the Edmonton region to upskill and reconnect with industry and employers. These participants will directly support Alberta's economic recovery and allow Edmonton and area businesses to prosper with a workforce that is highly skilled, knowledgeable, and ready to work.