Youth unemployment and underemployment are rising, and employers report a gap in foundational skills like communication, adaptability, and teamwork. Skills Academy was created to close this gap between by equipping young people with the essential skills needed to thrive in today’s workforce
Through delivery TKTC discovered that many young people—especially those facing systemic barriers—lack the confidence and mental frameworks to recognize their lived experiences as sources of transferable, marketable skills. Earlier, more engaging interventions are needed to build these competencies before young people enter the workforce.
This pilot adapts our Skills Academy model for youth aged 16–20, using experiential, game-based activities to foster self-efficacy, confidence, and job readiness. It provides environments where youth can take risks, learn through trial and error, and build real-world skills. By co-creating content with youth and community partners, and testing scalable delivery models, TKTC aims to ensure that more young people can access engaging foundational employability training that prepares them for success in today’s evolving workforce.
TKTC’s innovation comes to life through a youth-centered approach that involves co-creating engaging, game-based activities, events and products with youth aged 16–20 as well as designing and testing scalable models of delivery with a variety of community partners. These activities are designed to help young people develop Meta, Transferrable, and Self-Navigation skills including resilience, communication, teamwork and adaptability.
Our pilot is implemented through three prototype cycles, each refining products and delivery models in partnership with schools and community groups. These community partners help shape content to reflect diverse cultural and contextual needs. Youth participate in co-design workshops, feedback loops, and skill-building sessions, testing that products are engaging, relevant and succeed in developing the desired skills and competencies.
At the conclusion of the pilot we will have a suite of polished products, resources and scalable delivery vehicles that can be used nationally to support youth facing systemic barriers and help them to develop foundational employability skills and competencies.
Our pilot’s initial co-creation phase will involve 60 young people through four community partners. Four core partners—Elsie MacGill Secondary School, Th3rdSpace, Cadets Canada, and Say Somali—were selected for their strong relationships with youth aged 16–20 and the range of potential uptake pathways they represent.
For testing and refinement of co-created products, 150 youth from “mirror partners” -organizations with similar profiles, demographics and reach - will be selected.
At the conclusion of our pilot, we will use a strategic, partner-driven approach rooted in TKTC’s existing network of 133 youth-serving community organizations and schools to scale the program nationally. The exact path for scaling will depend on which delivery models—train-the-trainer, roadshow, hybrid, or a combination—prove most effective during testing.
TKTC is also leveraging knowledge mobilization through conferences, reports, and sector convenings to share learnings and inspire broader adoption. As the pilot progresses, TKTC is cultivating new partnerships and pursuing funding to support national rollout.
The King’s Trust Canada’s Skills Academy Framework: Exploration Pilot will launch in January 2026.
The King’s Trust Canada’s Skills Academy Framework: Exploration Pilot will launch in January 2026.
