This training program is open to all Black entrepreneurs of all backgrounds, demographics, genders, and capabilities.

This training program is free for all qualifying applicants. The BBPA received funding from the Government of Canada’s Future Skill Centre for the BACEL Training Program.

BACEL is open to Black entrepreneurs 16 years of age or older.

There are no business requirements except the desire to gain additional knowledge and training.

Every participant must complete BACEL’s core course component before entering a specialized stream (for example arts, tech, service industry).

This program is intended for entrepreneurs who identify as Black, African, African Canadian or Afro-Caribbean.

BACEL will include coursework, mentoring, advising and supports. Over the course of the 20 months, there may be opportunities for participants to use their skills through internships or volunteering.

To start, BACEL will be offered as an online training course so the need for differently-abled supports will be minimal. If we move to a combined online/classroom delivery model, we will take all necessary steps to ensure differently-abled supports are in place.

A graduation certificate will be provided to all participants who complete the program.

BACEL is funded by the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Centre (FSC). FSC invested $1.5 million in the program.

The BBPA is working with the Diversity Institute and Future Skills Centre to establish, run and evaluate the BACEL Training Program.

FSC is investing in various projects and sector-based initiatives that engage industry associations, employers, and others to analyze future labour market needs and design comprehensive skills development approaches to address those needs.

TheFuture Skills Centre (FSC) is a forward-thinking centre for research and collaboration dedicated to preparing Canadians for employment success. FSC believes Canadians should feel confident about the skills they have to succeed in a changing workforce. As a pan-Canadian community, they collaborate to rigorously identify, test, measure, and share innovative approaches to assessing and developing the skills Canadians need to thrive in the days and years ahead. The Future Skills Centre was founded by a consortium whose members are Ryerson University, Blueprint, and The Conference Board of Canada, and is funded by the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Program.

The Diversity Institute conducts and coordinates multi-disciplinary, multi-stakeholder research to address the needs of diverse Canadians, the changing nature of skills and competencies, and the policies, processes and tools that advance economic inclusion and success. Their action-oriented, evidence-based approach is advancing knowledge of the complex barriers faced by underrepresented groups, leading practices to effect change, and producing concrete results.