About
About
We’re dedicated to helping people from equity-deserving groups overcome barriers to employment.
Canada’s only national,
employer-led coalition
We connect job seekers who face barriers, including equity-deserving groups and youth, to employment with top-ranked employers in Canada.
By working directly with employers, we are able to provide candidates with wraparound supports tailored to employer and participant needs. The goal of MyStartr is to increase the representation of equity-deserving groups and youth in the labour market by providing tailored resources, supports and access to employment opportunities with Canada’s leading employers.
History
2016
The Ontario government created a Provincial Partnership Table to consider Collective Impact for Disconnected Youth (CIDY) to address the employment gap for youth furthest from employment. Starbucks provided a $10,000 grant to MaRS to develop a proposal, and jointly presented to the Expert Panel on Youth Employment on the need for an employer coalition project.
2017
The Canadian federal government’s Expert Panel on Youth Employment released a report calling for “a multi-sectoral roundtable of employers to establish a hiring goal or challenge, including a specific focus on vulnerable youth.”
This led to the development of an action plan to support vulnerable youth developed by MaRS and Starbucks.
2018
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC; Youth Employment and Skills Strategy) and Starbucks Canada Foundation funded the launch of Opportunity for All Youth (O4AY). Eight employers committed to joining O4AY, including major national employers such as Bell, Walmart and Home Depot.
2018–2029
The first hiring event took place in Toronto, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau—who was also Minister of Youth—attended and hosted a town hall for 300 youth. Roundtable discussions where youth shared their challenges in finding work resulted in the publication of a report titled “13 Ways to Modernize Youth Employment in Canada,” detailing barriers identified by stakeholders. The project expanded to Calgary, Montreal, Edmonton, Hamilton and Ottawa. In 2019, federal Minister Patty Hajdu announced a $4.2 million ESDC grant to O4AY. The project expanded to London, Vancouver and Moncton.
2019–2021
Over the next three years—two of which were disrupted by the pandemic—O4AY grew quickly in scope and impact: It helped more than 20,000 young Canadians overcome barriers to employment and also sparked meaningful change in employers’ hiring practices.
2022–2023
To reflect this evolution, the project refreshed its vision, purpose and strategic priorities and re-launched under a new brand: MyStartr.
2023
MyStartr moved to the Diversity Institute at Toronto Metropolitan University to expand the institute’s programming in work-integrated learning and placement programs for equity-deserving groups.
Our values
MyStartr supports people from equity-deserving groups by getting them job ready.
MyStartr connects people from equity-deserving groups and employers through a variety of programs
Communities flourish when everyone contributes their knowledge, skills, experience and creative thinking. Through our programs and resources you can connect with mentors and coaches, build your professional development skills and provide your insights to industry leaders to grow and make a difference around you.
MyStartr’s key partners
MyStartr’s programs are possible through the support of its coalition partners and many key partners across Canada.
Funded by the Government of Canada
Diversity Institute of Toronto Metropolitan University
Future Skills Centre
Making a positive impact
MyStartr is changing the lives of diverse job seekers in Canada and removing barriers to employment each and every day.
1 Million
Talented people from equity-deserving groups not in employment, education or training
440,000
Job-seekers facing a range of social and systemic barriers in their quest for careers with a future
30+
Employers in the MyStartr coalition creating a better future for people from equity-deserving groups while achieving success for their organization
20,000+
Job placements into quality positions with opportunities to learn and grow with top-tier employers
Getting involved
You can join MyStartr today and become part of a community of support and change for people from equity-deserving groups.
Become an employer partner
Connect with our network of talented diverse job-seekers through our dedicated hiring events and insights programs.
Find a job that is right for you
Get access to hiring events, workshops, tailored resources and coaching to help you find the right job.
Access programs to improve your skills
Use any of our services designed and dedicated to help you grow and learn.
Before joining the MyStartr program, my job search experience was overwhelming, chaotic, inefficient and discouraging. The MyStartr crash course helped me to frame my perspective and streamline my interview preparation, which was particularly helpful as I tend to overthink things.During the Virtual Hiring Event, I was impressed with the constructive feedback I received. Even if the interview did not lead to a job, I knew that it was an opportunity to learn and grow. The MyStartr team was incredibly kind, fun and gracious throughout the entire event.
Alexandre
Toronto
