Key facts
- More than 52,000 people work at Toronto Pearson in in-demand jobs that pay well.
- Demand for airport workers is expected to continue growing. As a result of its Pearson LIFT expansion program, Toronto Pearson’s workforce is expected to increase by 16,000 people by the mid-2030s.
- To help build the talent pipeline and Canadians with good jobs, Toronto Pearson supports multiple workforce development initiatives in the communities around it.
- Recent initiatives include investments in skilled trades training, career expos and aviation-focused education opportunities.
Toronto Pearson’s approach to workforce development
Toronto Pearson is a major employment and economic engine for the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. The airport authority itself employs approximately 2,000 workers, and together with other airport employers (airlines, agencies, retailers) it has a growing workforce of 52,000 people. The airport is also the anchor for the wider Pearson Economic Zone, where more than 18,000 businesses employ 500,000 people in businesses such as manufacturing, logistics, transportation and warehousing.
The airport ecosystem supports a diverse range of careers spanning aviation, customer service, skilled trades, logistics, technology, infrastructure, security and emergency services. With the Pearson LIFT infrastructure investment program now under way, there are also growing opportunities for workers in the skilled trades at the airport.
Toronto Pearson's workforce-development efforts reflect a long-term commitment to nurturing talent across the airport ecosystem and the communities that surround it. As one of Canada's largest employment hubs, Toronto Pearson invests in multiple programs that help strengthen talent pipelines, expand access to opportunity and support the next generation of workers across aviation, infrastructure, skilled trades and related sectors.
Uplift Fund: Investing in Skilled Trades and Employment Pathways
In September 2026, Toronto Pearson announced a $1.65-million investment through its Uplift Fund to support the next generation of workers in the skilled trades. The airport is supporting 11 community-led projects designed to create new employment pathways and strengthen local workforce participation. The programs focus on areas including:
- Skilled trades training
- Construction careers
- Newcomer employment
- Accessibility and inclusion
- Career development
- Employment readiness
Toronto Pearson estimates that approximately 1,000 residents will benefit through hands-on training, certifications, career-development opportunities and direct connections to employment.
The announcement also included a commitment from Toronto Pearson and the Pearson Accelerator Construction Team (PACT) to invest $300,000 over two years in the Forging Futures Initiative at Judith Nyman Secondary School, helping modernize welding facilities and expand access to skilled-trades education.
The Uplift Fund has invested more than $6.7-million in community projects since 2018, supporting programming, advocacy and research that helps local residents gain the skills, connections and opportunities needed for meaningful employment.
Learn more about the Uplift Fund.
Aerospace Experiences: Airport Edition
In October 2026, Toronto Pearson and Ingenium’s Canada Aviation and Space Museum announced Aerospace Experiences: Airport Edition, a first-of-its-kind aviation education program built around the operations, employers and workforce ecosystem of a major international airport.
The initiative will connect more than 1,600 high-school students with real-world aviation career opportunities through Canada’s largest airport.
The program builds on Ingenium’s existing Aerospace Experiences model and is designed to introduce students to careers across the aviation sector, including:
- Aircraft and airfield operations.
- Customer and passenger services.
- Safety and emergency services.
- Skilled trades and facilities maintenance.
A key objective of the initiative is to expand awareness of aviation careers among students who may not otherwise be exposed to opportunities within the sector. The program includes a strong focus on engagement with underrepresented groups, newcomers and youth from underserved communities.
The program will be delivered through three components:
- Engage: classroom presentations and career conversations with airport professionals.
- Empower: experiential-learning workshops with industry experts.
- Embed: student showcases focused on solving real-world aviation challenges.
Toronto Pearson and Ingenium are co-developing the program with a goal of creating a scalable model that can support future workforce-development initiatives.
Toronto Pearson Career Expo: Connecting Job Seekers with Airport Careers
Toronto Pearson hosts an annual Career Expo, bringing together more than 50 employers, employment service providers and community organizations to connect job seekers with opportunities across the airport ecosystem.
The event regularly attracts thousands of jobseekers and is designed to help participants better understand the wide range of careers available at the airport and meet directly with employers.
The 2026 Career Expo placed a particular emphasis on helping young people explore future career opportunities. Through partnerships with Seneca Polytechnic, Youth Employment Services (YES), ACCES Employment and Achēv, students and job seekers were able to participate in career-discovery activities focused on:
- Career awareness
- Education pathways
- Transferable skills development
- Job readiness
- Connections to employment opportunities
The Career Expo is part of Toronto Pearson's broader effort to create pathways into long-term careers and help build the workforce needed to support future airport growth and infrastructure investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Toronto Pearson's approach to workforce development?
Toronto Pearson supports workforce development through community investment, career fairs, training initiatives, educational partnerships and programs designed to connect people with employment opportunities across the airport ecosystem.
How many people work at Toronto Pearson?
More than 52,000 people work across the Toronto Pearson airport ecosystem, which includes the airport authority and more than 400 other companies and agencies. The airport’s workforce is expected to grow by 16,000 as a result of its Pearson LIFT infrastructure investment program.
What is the Toronto Pearson Uplift Fund?
The Uplift Fund supports community programs that help residents gain skills, employment opportunities and career connections. In 2026, Toronto Pearson invested $1.65-million in 11 projects focused on workforce development and skilled trades pathways.
What is the Toronto Pearson Career Expo?
The Career Expo is an annual event that brings together employers, community organizations and job seekers to explore career opportunities across the airport ecosystem.
What is Aerospace Experiences: Airport Edition?
Aerospace Experiences: Airport Edition is a partnership between Toronto Pearson and Ingenium's Canada Aviation and Space Museum that will connect more than 1,600 students with aviation career exploration opportunities through classroom learning and engagement with airport professionals.