Digital Skills for the Workplace (DSW)


Welcome to the Digital Skills for the Workplace (DSW) program!

Increasing your digital literacy and building digital skills is an essential step to growing your career – whether you are returning to the workforce, changing careers or seeking advancement in your field.

The DSW program aims to increase digital literacy and employability of women and gender diverse individuals, focusing on marginalized communities across Canada. By providing accessible and practical digital skills training, we aim to close the gender gap in the Canadian labour market.

With funding from the Government of Canada through the Department of Employment and Social Development: Canada’s Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program, YWCA Toronto and three other YWCA collaborators across the country will offer workshops that aim to increase digital literacy and confidence in the digital workforce

The DSW program is divided into five program phases:
 

PHASE ONE

  • Program start-up
  • Bringing together an exciting new team

PHASE TWO

  • Gathering information about digital trends and best practices through a Literature Review
  • Understanding how to implement this program using a Needs Assessment
  • Developing a Train-the-Trainer Program

PHASE THREE

  • Building staff capacity across multiple YWCA locations with a comprehensive Train-the-Trainer Program
  • Creating a curriculum and resources that will increase digital skills and literacy for employability

PHASE FOUR

  • Delivering a Participant Program across four YWCA locations, led by YWCA Toronto

PHASE FIVE

  • Evaluating program impact
  • Sharing resources with community organizations to increase access to digital skills and literacy training

Stay tuned for more information about program start dates and how to apply.
Bookmark this page!

Why Are Digital Skills Important?

 
  • Almost 80% of CEOs globally, in 2019, reported concern over the gap observed in the technical skills of their employees
  • Only 30% of Canadians said they felt very prepared with digital skills required for the workplace in 2022
  • 250,000 additional jobs are expected to be in demand for the Canadian digital economy by 2025

 
The DSW Workshop Series aims to increase foundational skills newly identified by the Government of Canada as Skills for Success.

Read more about this initiative here: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/training/initiatives/skills-success.html