PRESS RELEASE:  

TORONTO – June 4, 2025 – Skills for Change is proud to be one of four Canadian organizations selected to receive funding through Google Canada’s newly announced AI Opportunity Fund, a $13 million investment aimed at strengthening Canada’s AI workforce. 

The AI Opportunity Fund, launched by Google.org, will support Skills for Change, alongside the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute, the First Nations Technology Council, and the Toronto Public Library, to scale best-in-class AI skills development and workforce training programs across the country. 

With this support, Skills for Change will launch a new AI skilling initiative to train individuals from communities experiencing high unemployment. The program will equip participants with foundational AI literacy through a hands-on, industry-relevant curriculum, creating pathways to meaningful employment and increased economic participation. 

“Our new AI skilling project, made possible through Google.org’s generous support, represents a transformative opportunity to bridge the digital divide and create equitable access to the future of work.” said Surranna Sandy, CEO, Skills for Change. “We are proud to receive Google.org support for this ground-breaking initiative and look forward to shaping a more inclusive and prosperous future together.” 

"AI is transforming the way we work and can empower people across almost every field,” said Sabrina Geremia, VP & Country Managing Director for Google Canada. “Canada is uniquely positioned to capture the immense AI opportunity by putting this technology to work. The AI Opportunity Fund will help upskill Canadians nationwide, strengthen our workforce, and prepare Canadians for an AI-powered economy.” 

This new funding builds on Google’s broader commitment to digital and AI skilling in Canada, including the Google Career Certificates and other Grow with Google initiatives aimed at preparing Canadians for the future of work. 

About Skills for Change: 

Founded in 1982, Skills for Change is a leading non-profit organization serving immigrants, refugees, and underserved communities in Canada. With over 40 years of experience, the organization offers more than 25 programs and services, annually assisting over 20,000 individuals. Skills for Change is known for pioneering programs that respond to shifting immigration and workplace trends, providing holistic solutions that bridge the gap between potential and opportunity for success in Canada.   

About Google.org 

Google.org, Google’s philanthropy, brings the best of Google to help solve some of humanity’s biggest challenges combining funding, product donations and technical expertise to support underserved communities and provide opportunity for everyone. They engage nonprofits, social enterprises and civic entities who make a significant impact on the communities they serve, and whose work has the potential to produce scalable, meaningful change.