York Region is a Sought-After Destination for Top Canadian and International Talent
Competition to attract top talent is more fierce than ever before! Toronto area’s York Region is the perfect location to recruit and retain talent locally, nationally, and globally with up to 15,000 people moving here annually.
Establishing your operations in the Region lets you access and recruit talent from eighteen post-secondary institutions within a 90-minute commute. If it’s specialized international talent your company requires our team is a designated referral partner for Canada’s Global Skills Strategy (GSS). Connect with our team to learn more about what it takes to qualify for GSS!
73%
of population has post-secondary education;
3rd highest among Canada’s largest municipal jurisdictions.
47%
of York Region’s population has a
university degree.
20%
Highest population proportion of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) post-secondary graduates in the Toronto-Waterloo tech corridor.
24%
Highest proportion of labour force in Business, Finance & Administration occupations in the Greater Toronto Area and among Canada’s largest municipal jurisdictions.
13.5%
Highest proportion of labour force in Natural & Applied Sciences occupations within the Toronto-Waterloo tech corridor.
50%
of York Region residents are foreign born; providing a diverse and skilled workforce for your business to tap into.
Source: Statistics Canada 2021 Census. Population Ages 25-64; Employed Labour Force Age 15+
Unlock the GTA's Talent Pool
York Region is centrally located within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), with a workforce of over 3.6 million you’ll have access to top talent that can help your business succeed at home and abroad.
GREATER TORONTO AREA FACTS
- The fifth largest metropolitan area in North America
- Workforce of 3.6 million; 20% of Canada’s total
- 290,000 people employed in tech related jobs; #1 for high-tech job growth across North America
- 180 different languages spoken; 51% of the population are foreign born (est.)
- 130,000 new university graduates and degreed immigrants each year
- 18 nearby colleges and universities
Canada's Global Skills Strategy is Your Advantage for Recruiting Top International Talent
The Government of Canada’s Global Skills Strategy was created to make it easier and faster for Canadian employers’ to access highly-skilled foreign workers and bring them to Canada. The strategy features faster application processing times, work permit exemptions and enhanced customer service.
Since 2017, over 60,000 Global Skills applications have been processed; 56% have ended up living and working in Ontario making it the primary landing spot for applicants. The top originating countries for successful applicants are India, USA, China, France, and Brazil.
Interested in leveraging this talent recruitment program? Our Business Advisors are here to assist York Region-based companies.
Top Roles
These are the top roles currently being filled using the Global Skills Strategy.
- Computer Programmers & Interactive Media Developers
- Information Systems Analysts & Consultants
- Software Engineers & Designers
- Computer & Information Systems Managers
We can help determine if your hiring needs are a fit for the Global Skills Strategy. Contact our team to get started.
Saima Chaudhry, Outreach Officer with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Dedicated Service Channel explains the four pillars of the Global Skills Strategy.
Marc Pavlopolous, Founder of Path to Canada, provides his reasons why York Region companies should look to leverage the Global Talent Stream; part of the GSS.
Our Talent Support Services
GSS SUPPORT SERVICES
Offered to prequalified companies applying to the Global Skills Strategy programs (GSS). Our office is the federal government designated referral partner to prequalify local companies to access these programs.
CONSULTATIONS
Complimentary consultation for prequalified companies with leading recruitment firms to better understand the current availability and trends of recruiting the talent your targeting.
STRATEGIC CONNECTIONS
Develop connections with post-secondary institutions and other talent-focused partners to develop potential talent pipelines.
ADVICE & BEST PRACTICES
Tips to build a compelling career pages and employee value propositions to potential candidates.
Government Funding Programs for Hiring and Training
Note: These links will take you to a third-party partner website in a new tab or window. This is for informational purposes only and is not an endorsement of their products and/or services.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Fund
– Aims to liaison more young Canadians into the automotive sector by providing participants the opportunity to gain skills training and knowledge through a placement or employment
– Up to 800 participants will receive up to $8,000 in training costs
Canada Job Grant (CJG)
– Designed to reduce the costs of providing third-party skills training to new and existing employees
– Up to 50-100% of eligible costs covered in most provinces
Canada Summer Jobs
– Support for employers providing supervised career-related work experience for youth employees
– Up to 50% of employee minimum hourly rate; Non-profits can receive grants up to 100% of minimum – – wage plus Mandatory Employment Related Costs (MERCs)
Career-Ready with CTMA: Expanding Opportunities
– Administered by the Canadian Tooling & Machining Association and Mentor Works, the hiring grant supports Ontario’s precision metalworking sector with youth hires
– Funding 30% of wages paid to a max of $3,000 for each placement
Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program
– Helps Canadian communities confront discrimination by funding new opportunities, discussions, and research to bring together Canada’s diverse cultures and religions.
– Up to $1 million in government funding
Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF)
– Supporting economic growth and jobs creation projects.
– Applicants can receive up to 50-90% of costs for economic growth projects.
Mitacs Accelerate
– Pairs businesses with Masters, PhD and PDF interns to overcome innovation challenges
– Matching funds from Mitacs up to $7,500 per 4-6 month internship unit
Ontario Manufacturing Training Program (OMTP)
– Supports two types of eligible training activities for southern Ontario manufacturers impacted by COVID-19
– Provides non-repayable contributions to a maximum $100,000 towards eligible expenses
Skills Catalyst Fund
– Supports Ontario consortiums in the development and implementation of innovative workforce development projects that test new and emerging ideas and approaches to labour market challenges
– Up to 80% of eligible training expenses to a maximum $500,000
Youth Employment Program (IRAP)
– Designed to assist funding of hiring young Canadian post-secondary graduates
– Provides up to $30,000 per graduate (up to two) for a period of 6 to 12 months
Talent Partners
