Canadian credit union Meridian has expanded its Reframe skills-building programme, having invested CA$1.3 million (approximately €870,000) to date through community partners to help participants facing economic barriers access paid training, housing support, mental health services, and financial coaching, in a model that integrates workforce development with broader social determinants of employment.

Benefits Canada reported that Meridian founded Reframe in 2024 with a pilot programme in Barrie, Ontario, responding in part to Employment and Social Development Canada data indicating that 700,000 people could be leaving the skilled trades by 2028. Meridian operates in the housing ecosystem through mortgage, development, and construction financing, which informed its decision to direct social investment toward skilled trades pipeline development.

Sarah Sasso, vice-president of ESG and social impact at Meridian, said the programme was designed to address barriers that sit outside the reach of conventional training. She said: "As a financial services company that works in the housing ecosystem in terms of financing developers, mortgages, construction and more, we thought about what our social impact opportunity could be. We reinvest what we make back into communities, so it made sense to help individuals facing a barrier get access to good paying jobs so they could support themselves and their families."

Sasso said Reframe's design deliberately integrates issues that are typically treated in isolation. She said: "Reframe works because it doesn't just deal with employment for people who are facing an economic barrier, it also deals with housing and financial inclusion, which have often been left as separate issues, and it solves them together."

The programme pairs Ontario non-profits to deliver hands-on paid skills training alongside wraparound support including housing, transportation, and mental health services. Participants also receive service-free bank accounts and one-on-one financial confidence coaching from Meridian employees.

Sasso said the programme's outcomes reflect the value of treating participants holistically. She said: "I think such a high rate speaks to the fact that this is not a one and done situation, this requires treating the whole person to help them be successful." Close to 90 per cent of graduates transition into employment, self-employment, or further career training after completing the programme.