With Support from Walmart Foundation, The King’s Trust Canada Expands Youth Employability Programs
Two-year grant focuses on increasing access to skills development and career-building opportunities for young people across Canada
TORONTO, ONTARIO – December 1, 2025 – As part of our mission to increase employability for 100,000 young people over the next decade, The King’s Trust Canada (TKTC) is pleased to announce support from the Walmart Foundation to help expand TKTC’s Skills Academy and The Network programs to young people, including Black and Indigenous young people across Canada.
In addition to the expansion of these programs, The King’s Trust Canada will also launch its Employer Community of Practice — a network dedicated to TKTC employer partners to advance more equitable hiring practices. By doing so, TKTC will be providing avenues for employer collaboration while promoting skills-first hiring practices
Skills Academy is a free and engaging program designed to equip young people with the essential skills employers are seeking. With the job market more competitive than ever, many employers highlight a gap in critical professional skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving among candidates.
Through The Network, young people learn the fundamentals of networking and meet new friends and future colleagues with whom they can share career tips, insights, and opportunities.
“At a time when the Canadian labour market has become so challenging for young people across the country—particularly for those facing barriers—this grant from Walmart Foundation presents an impactful opportunity for young people across Canada,” said Jeffrey Orridge, CEO at The King’s Trust Canada. “We are deeply grateful for Walmart Foundation’s generous investment, allowing us to expand our established Skills Academy and The Network programs. Together we are lowering the employment barriers that young people face while creating tangible pathways to meaningful employment.”
For more information on Walmart Foundation and The King’s Trust Canada, please visit Walmart.org or The King’s Trust Canada website.
About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart.org represents the philanthropic efforts of Walmart and the Walmart Foundation. The Walmart.org team works to tackle key social and environmental issues relevant for the retail sector in collaboration with others to spark long-lasting systemic change. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions in this report are solely those of the authors and do not represent positions or policies Walmart.
About The King’s Trust Canada
Founded in 2011, by His Majesty King Charles III, The King’s Trust Canada (formerly the Prince’s Trust Canada), is a national charity that creates pathways to employment for young people facing barriers by providing free skills training, work experience and networking opportunities. We work with leading Canadian employers, community partners, and educational institutions to advance our mission of helping 100,000 young people increase their employability. By enhancing the skills and employability of our nation’s young people — especially those facing barriers – we play an integral role in strengthening Canada’s workforce, promoting equity and fostering sustainable economic growth.
For more information, please contact:
Gaston Calzato
Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications
The King’s Trust Canada
Gaston.calzato@kingstrust.ca
