The Ontario government has  announced the launch of a program to help Black youth with  post-secondary  education prepare for careers in engineering, insurance and finance.

The Industry-led Career Initiative, as the program is called, is part of the Ontario Black Youth Action Plan, and aims to reduce employment and income disparities among young professionals, Michael Coteau, Minister of Children and Youth Services and Minister Responsible for Anti-Racism, has announced.

The Ontario Black Youth Action Plan is a four-year, $47-million commitment to help reduce disparities for more than 10,000 Black children, youth and families in communities across the province.

A news release from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services said that organizations are  encouraged to apply now to receive funding to develop  industry-specific training and job placement programs.

Successful organizations will receive up to $375,000 per year to create programs in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, Ottawa and Windsor, the release noted.

Ontario will invest $1.5 million per year starting in 2018-’19 to support the Industry-Led Career Initiative,.

The program is being designed with the help of an external implementation steering committee made up of youth, leaders and experts from the Black community, as well as with feedback received from community engagement sessions