The city of Toronto recently presented its Partnership to Advance Youth Employment Leadership Award to honour local individuals and organizations for their implementing employment opportunities for youth in the Toronto area.

The leadership award celebration, now in its third year, was held during the recent meeting of the Economic Development Committee, according to a press release. Those honoured with this year’s award include the United Way Toronto and York Region; Clifford Henning-Pereira, senior national manager with Recruitment Advice Centre, RBC and Sondley Forestan, Partnership to Advance Youth Employment alumni and customer service representative with CIBC.

The Partnership to Advance Youth Employment is a joint project of the city of Toronto and employers from the private sector. The goal of the project is to encourage employers to further economic opportunities for young people in the Toronto area.

The Partnership to Advance Youth Employment program gives young people an opportunity to receive guidance, coaching and works to provide qualified candidates with matching job opportunities.

Toronto, which is home to approximately 2.8 million people, will celebrate its 150th birthday this year. A yearlong birthday celebration called TO Canada with Love, will include celebrations, commemorations and exhibits.