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The Let’s Start Up Pathway is a unique and free approach to building financial independence for local women and gender diverse individuals.

With the help of our programs, realize your full professional potential and envision your future with confidence and determination.

A 360-degree approach

Awaken your potential!

Build confidence in your abilities by creating a strong foundation for a rewarding and fulfilling professional life.

→ Unlock your professional potential Program*: workshops to reveal, activate, and develop essential cross-functional skills (soft skills) needed to achieve personal, professional, or entrepreneurial goals.

* Certified by Concordia University

Equip yourself for success!

Gain and strengthen the knowledge and skills essential for reaching your professional goals.

→ Entrepreneurship Program: develop, validate, and experiment with your entrepreneurial idea, and create a plan to start or propel your business.

→ Financial Aid Program for Studies: receive financial aid for your full-time postsecondary studies, allowing you to secure a rewarding job that meets your financial expectations.

→ Coaching Program: to gain support and develop the confidence needed to overcome challenges on your entrepreneurial journey.

* Professional Development Certificate included for participants who choose the entrepreneurial program

Cultivate your knowledge!

Stay active and innovative in an ever-evolving environment by focusing on continued education and professional development. At your convenience. For life.

→ Continuing Education Program: offers you the opportunity to continuously refine your skills and knowledge through participatory workshops and technical training.

→ Let’s Start Up Community: join a network of women and gender diverse individuals where collaboration and mutual support will help you overcome isolation and maintain motivation (newsletter, Facebook group, and networking events).

Innovative programs with many advantages

Inclusive and Free

Access free support programs designed for all women and gender diverse individuals aged 18 and over who are ready to take charge of their lives, with no financial contribution required.

Practical Tools

An innovative educational approach that helps women and gender diverse individuals develop their skills and achieve their goals through training, personalized support, financial assistance, and access to a support network.

Flexible and Adaptable

A flexible and customizable training pathway designed to meet the unique needs and realities of each individual.

Certified Programs

The Unlock your professional potential Program and the Entrepreneurship Program have been certified by Concordia University (Continuing Education) since their inception.

Continuing Education and Support Network

Join a vibrant community of committed women and gender diverse individuals who take their journey beyond training.

Start the Let’s Start Up Pathway with the

Unlock your professional potential Program

This professional skills development program is specifically designed to help you unlock, enhance, and develop essential transferable soft skills needed to achieve your professional or entrepreneurial goals.

Certified by Concordia University, this program combines group workshops and individual coaching sessions to help you identify and leverage your professional skills and attitudes. Through these workshops, you will explore new career opportunities while building confidence in your abilities.

Program Objectives

By the end of this program, you will be able to:

  • identify, recognize, and apply your transferable skills to a new professional or entrepreneurial project;
  • define realistic goals aligned with your aspirations;
  • clarify your professional needs and values;
  • identify potential obstacles and develop solutions to overcome them; and,
  • create a strategic action plan for success.

Once you have completed the Unlock your professional potential Program, you will have the opportunity to continue your journey by enrolling in the Entrepreneurship Program or by applying for the Financial Assistance for Studies Program.

Duration and Commitment

  • Phase 1: 8 weeks
  • Phase 2: Entrepreneur training is an additional 10 weeks
  • 3 hours of workshops per week + 3 hours of preparation per week
  • Schedule: Classes are held 9:30a.m.-12:30p.m. on Wednesdays
  • Please note: At least 2 classes are held in-person at YWCA Toronto's 3090 Kingston Road office. All other classes are held virtually via Zoom.

Admission

The Let’s Start Up Pathway begins with the Unlock your professional potential Program, offered twice a year.

Program Start Dates:

  • WINTER: February
  • FALL: September

Eligibility Requirements

The Let’s Start Up Pathway is for you if:

→ you are a woman or gender diverse individual aged 18 or older;
→ you are in a stable life situation that allows you to fully commit to your journey; and,
→ you are ready to take charge of your life.

Learn more about the Let’s Start Up Pathway

For more information about this program and how to register please contact (416)-269-0091 x231 or email LetsStartUp@ywcatoronto.org.

« After a few hesitant attempts to advance in my professional journey and explore entrepreneurship, I finally felt ready to take the plunge, though I wasn’t quite sure how to go about it. The Let’s Start Up Pathway helped me define a motivating and achievable professional project and acquire highly relevant skills and knowledge to bring it to life. It’s been several years since I completed the program, but the support from the Let’s Start Up community remains unwavering—it’s still my greatest source of support during moments of doubt and difficulty in my entrepreneurial journey. »

Vani, Entrepreneurship Program