IWIL Ignite connects 250-plus job seekers with employers in Future of Work 2030 event

IWIL Ignite Foundation brought employers, hiring leaders and more than 250 job seekers together in Vancouver on Sept. 19 to address Canada’s skills gap as AI reshapes hiring and work. The event focused on turning skills into jobs, with a wider effort aimed at preparing 100,000 future-ready leaders by 2030.

Why it matters: - Canada is facing a mismatch between available jobs and the skills many workers bring to the market. - Recent working-age immigrants report difficulty finding a first job at a rate of 31.7%. - Youth unemployment rose to 12.9% in August 2026. - IWIL Ignite says the gap affects talent supply, productivity and broader economic growth.

What happened: - IWIL Ignite Foundation used its Future of Work 2030 series on Sept. 19 to bring together employers, recruitment leaders, career experts and more than 250 job seekers in Vancouver, British Columbia. - The live program focused on helping participants turn education, experience and potential into meaningful employment as artificial intelligence changes hiring and workplace expectations. - The event also covered career progression, not just job search tactics.

The details: - Participants received guidance on communicating transferable skills, improving professional positioning, preparing for interviews, building networks and navigating career transitions. - The conversation centered on how job seekers can translate capabilities into professional value and prepare for AI-affected roles. - The panel included Devon Dander of Lululemon, Melissa Grant of TD Bank Group, Dustin Hutton-Alcorn of Intellistack, Deepa Sayal of IWIL Ignite Foundation and ADG Tech, and Murli Murthy of ACE World Coaching. - Deepa Sayal said the challenge is not only creating jobs but building pathways that help young people turn skills and potential into meaningful careers. - IWIL Ignite said the Future of Work 2030 event was its third major initiative in the series. - The first program took place in December 2025 for small and medium businesses across Canada. - The second program took place in April 2026 and drew more than 300 women and professionals for an industry-led discussion on AI readiness, AI incubation and changing work. - IWIL Ignite aims to prepare 100,000 future-ready leaders by 2030. - The organization’s AILE platform is designed to measure AI readiness, identify competency gaps and create personalized learning pathways aligned with workforce and employer needs. - IWIL Ignite’s India chapter says it has worked with more than 20 incubators and 40 corporate partners on skills development, entrepreneurship and innovation. - The Foundation plans to continue the series with skills development, mentorship, employer engagement and career acceleration programs. - IWIL Ignite Foundation is a British Columbia-based nonprofit focused on inclusive economic participation through AI incubation, digital and media literacy, workforce innovation and entrepreneurship. - The Foundation says its programs support women, newcomers, youth and other under-represented communities. - More information is available in the event details, the India chapter and the Canada chapter.

Between the lines: - The event reflects a broader shift in workforce development toward AI readiness and skills-based hiring. - IWIL Ignite is positioning itself as a bridge between education, employer expectations and job placement. - The focus on transferable skills suggests employers may value proof of capability as much as formal credentials.

What's next: - IWIL Ignite says the Future of Work 2030 series will continue with more programs tied to employment outcomes. - The organization plans to keep pairing learning with mentorship and employer access. - The 2030 target for 100,000 future-ready leaders gives the initiative a long runway and a measurable goal.