New Initiative: ADaPT for Indigenous and Young Adults

In partnership with RRC Polytech and with the support of the Diversity Institute, TECHNATION is now launching a new ADaPT Manitoba‑focused initiative tailored to the unique needs of:

• Indigenous youth
• Participants from rural and northern communities
• Young people experiencing barriers to employment in the digital sector

This cost-free model blends ADaPT’s proven curriculum with community‑led approaches, culturally relevant training, and regional labour‑market insights to better support local success.

About ADaPT

The Advanced Digital and Professional Training (ADaPT) program is a sector-based training initiative designed to address the disconnect between the skills of postsecondary graduates and the needs of the IT sector. Delivered by Toronto Metropolitan University’s Diversity Institute and TECHNATION, the program provides intensive skills training, as well as wraparound supports to both participants and employers.

This iteration of ADaPT is aligned with TECHNATION’s commitment to advancing Reconciliation in Canada’s tech sector by prioritizing it separately from diversity, equity, and inclusion and deepening our commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 92.

Why ADaPT Matters

Challenges We’re Addressing

Youth – particularly those in remote, northern, or Indigenous communities – face barriers entering digital and tech‑enabled careers, including limited access to training, fewer professional networks, and systemic inequities.

Employers also face challenges, such as difficulty finding job‑ready talent, limited recruitment reach into underrepresented communities, and the need for more inclusive hiring practices.

Our Approach

ADaPT responds to these challenges with a community‑centered and market‑driven model:

• Industry‑aligned training: Skills developed based on real employer needs.
• Work‑integrated learning: Paid placements and experiential learning that build confidence and professional experience.
• Cultural safety: Welcoming, inclusive learning environments shaped by Indigenous guidance and lived experience.

Program Highlights

Key Features

• Collaborative Delivery Model: A shared training approach with RRC Polytech combining academic excellence, applied learning, and strong community ties.
• Wraparound and Career Supports: Participants gain access to TECHNATION’s Career Ready Program resources and employment preparation tools. Employers receive complementary wraparound supports, including onboarding guidance, inclusive‑hiring resources, and ongoing liaison support to ensure successful placements.
• Employer Engagement: Direct connections to the tech industry, job‑matching support, and access to wage subsidies to encourage eligible employer participation.
• Cost-Free Participation: ADaPT is fully funded, ensuring participants can access training, supports, and resources at no cost.

Indigenous Inclusion

• Indigenous Ways of Knowing: Curriculum and delivery integrate community‑informed perspectives and culturally relevant learning practices.
• Guidance from Indigenous Advisory Group: Ensures training, supports, and employer engagement align with Indigenous priorities and best practices.