Humber Polytechnic and The King's Trust Canada (TKTC) are celebrating the success of the inaugural TKTC 360 program, a partnership designed to help young people facing barriers to employment develop the skills needed to succeed in today's workforce.
The celebration event, held recently at the Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation, recognized participants who completed the first cohort of the TKTC 360 program. The evening featured a welcome address from Frank Cappadocia, dean of Continuous Professional Learning (CPL), as well as a panel of industry leaders discussing emerging workforce trends and the future of employment.
Originally launched through a strategic partnership between Humber and TKTC, the program combines Humber-developed micro-credentials with professional coaching, workplace readiness training, workshops, networking opportunities and internships. The initiative was created as part of TKTC's broader mission to create pathways to employment for young people through free skills training, work experience and mentorship opportunities.
The program's impact is already being felt by participants such as Zain Bhimji, who described the experience as transformational.
"To answer directly, honestly, and wholeheartedly, TKTC has been incredibly impactful on my career journey and life-changing for me personally," said Bhimji.
Before joining the program, Bhimji said he struggled to secure employment, maintain professional connections, and stay motivated about his career path. Through the combination of Humber micro-credential courses, workshops, coaching and collaborative learning experiences, he was able to develop greater confidence and direction.
"I was able to establish a strong sense of purpose and drive, which in turn strengthened my self-belief and self-confidence to kick-start my career," he said.
The three-week onboarding program and continued coaching helped Bhimji prepare for an internship at Deloitte, where he said he was able to successfully adapt to workplace expectations and integrate into his teams.
"The overall experience was overwhelmingly positive," he said. "I can confidently say that I am in a much better place mentally, personally and in my career."
The TKTC 360 program focuses on helping participants build in-demand workplace competencies including communication, teamwork, and adaptability. Bhimji said the program helped him strengthen several critical professional skills, particularly organization, communication, resilience, and problem-solving.
He credited practical strategies taught through the Humber micro-credentials including SMART goal setting, time blocking and prioritization methods with helping him improve his time management and accountability during his internship experience.
The communication and workplace navigation skills he developed also proved invaluable in a fast-paced professional environment.
"In the past I would take on the burden of problem-solving on my own," said Bhimji. "However, I quickly realized the importance of transparent and effective communication with team members in explaining my progress or if I needed help, which resulted in a stronger team culture, teamwork and trust."
The partnership between Humber and The King's Trust Canada was first announced in 2024 in recognition of the growing need to address skills gaps among young workers. The program was designed to provide accessible and engaging learning opportunities that help young people become more competitive in the job market while supporting long-term career success.
Participants who successfully complete the program are eligible to earn up to five Humber micro-credentials along with certification recognizing their achievements.
For Bhimji, the experience has created a foundation for future growth and career development.
"I now know exactly what skills and competencies are crucial for positive job performance," he said. "I would like to use these learnings to continue building my personal brand, strengthen both soft and hard skills, and continue my professional development."
