Q&A with Human Space’s Eman Abdelsabour on ILEO’s Construction Union Employment Pathways program
ILEO recently launched the Construction Union Employment Pathways Program, which aims to provide a new pool of labour in the construction industry and create a sustainable workforce for underrepresented individuals through employment training, mentorship and work placement opportunities.
As part of the program, United Way Greater Toronto has partnered with Arena Group, who is responsible for the construction overlay at the Toronto Stadium.
On August 6th, 38 participants in the program – at least five of whom will be hired to work on the site, were able to see it coming to life along with our partners: Arena Group, Human Space and WoodGreen Community Services.
Joining the Toronto Stadium visit was Eman Abdelsabour, Sustainability and Social Value Specialist at Human Space. The team got a first-hand look at active site conditions, had an opportunity to connect with industry professionals, and built awareness of different career paths for program participants. We asked Eman a few questions about her experience working on this collaboration, the impact it will have on the community, and what she’s most excited about for this project.
What’s different about this collaboration compared to other workforce collaborations you’ve been a part of?
Eman Abdelsabour: It is one of the events that the City is included in, and United Way (brings people from) diverse backgrounds, having that impact that the event can give to the industry and making a legacy afterwards not only just to serve the event itself but (proving) things like this are possible and everyone is welcome to get involved.
That’s the most significant thing that Human Space sees in this project and that’s why we are a part of it because we are working on social value, and this is one of the things we are working to be a part of.
What are some key opportunities you think this partnership opens for the community?
Eman Abdelsabour: Arena Group is a big event collaborator while Human Space is a local one, so we are helping to aggregate the ecosystem here in Toronto. It gives the community their time to shine. Construction is not the [main focus], but there is happiness [built] into it and there is that spark.
What are you most excited about regarding this collaboration?
Eman Abdelsabour: We have a workforce plan that we are on top of and we have done a lot of coordination with the right players, and I think that we will have a legacy that will stay in Toronto for a long time.
What impact do you see this partnership having on residents? What about the impact on Arena Group?
Eman Abdelsabour: The main idea of sports is bringing people from different backgrounds together. Even if you think, “I’m just starting in construction, maybe I don’t have a space in this.” No – you can train and get more skills [which is] part of our workforce plan.
Of course [it will be impactful] for the construction industry, but I think it will also be impactful on the global economy and will make the story of the event become a happy story instead of it bringing traffic or too much of a crowd. It’s more than that: [people are] reaching a second level of knowledge and skills.
About the ILEO Construction Union Employment Pathways program
The ILEO Construction Union Employment Pathways Program provides pre-employment training delivered by community agencies, trades training delivered by unions, mentorship, and work placements on construction sites across the region.
The aim of this project is to provide a new pool of labour in the construction industry and create a sustainable workforce by reducing barriers for underrepresented individuals.
This program is made possible by the generous support of the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
About the ILEO Initiative
To learn more about how United Way Greater Toronto, BMO and other private, public and community partners are working together to ensure the benefits of this development flow to existing residents check out the Inclusive Local Economic Opportunity Initiative (ILEO).