YWCA Uplift Program

Access specialized expertise to move your data projects forward. Through Innovation Factory, you can unlock this unique opportunity to connect with trained professionals ready to bring their skills to your team. You’ll be paired with top-tier candidates who are completing training in the Data Science, Data Analytics and UpliftMobility streams with McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI), University of Guelph’s Open Learning and Education Support program and MacDATA Institute and McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business, respectively.

Applications are now closed.

Innovation Factory and YWCA Uplift program
YWCA Uplift logo

About Uplift

The YWCA Hamilton Uplift Program is a collaborative program brought to you by Innovation Factory and the YWCA Hamilton. Uplift empowers women and non-binary individuals to reskill or upskill in the realms of advanced manufacturing, data science, data analytics, and UpliftMobility and provides additional support related to career development and navigating non-traditional workplaces.

Explore the streams

Participants in the Data Science stream have gained expertise in various areas, such as data analysis, developing algorithms and solving complex business challenges delivered by University of Guelph Open Learning and Educational Support program.

Program benefits

  • Access skilled workers with in-depth training in data science
  • Benefit from our talented candidates without financial commitment for the project
  • Potential to gain a dedicated, long-term employee
  • Support on projects in the following areas:
    • Customer segmentation and personalization
    • Data cleaning and reprocessing
    • Data warehousing
    • Data mining and machine learning
    • Statistics and data modelling
    • Using tools such as Hadoop, Hive, and Spark and draw meaningful conclusions from big data sets

Who should apply

  • Innovation Factory clients in the Validation, Efficiency, or Scale stage seeking specialized support in data science
  • Businesses that are incorporated, with a full time team member who can provide mentorship to the candidate
  • Companies that echo our collective vision of achieving a gender-balanced workforce in high-tech industries

Program timeline

  • Applications open: April 1, 2025
  • Information Webinar: April 9, 2025
  • Applications close: April 20, 2025
  • Final Candidate Placement Announcement: May 14, 2025
  • 12-week Project Placement: June 2 to August 22, 2025
Participants in the Data Analytics stream gain knowledge and skills using the latest data analytics program and tools with top industry experts from McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI).

Program benefits

  • Access skilled workers with in-depth training in data analytics
  • Benefit from our talented candidates without financial commitment for the project
  • Potential to gain a dedicated, long-term employee
  • Support on projects in the following areas:
    • Data analysis and visualization
    • Data modeling
    • Data warehousing
    • Environmental data analysis
    • E-commerce analytics
    • Predictive analytics
    • Supply chain and logistics analytics
    • Social media and marketing analytics
    • Structured Query Language (SQL), BI tools, ETL design, and business intelligence (BC) design, redeployment and reporting

Who should apply

  • Innovation Factory clients in the Validation, Efficiency, or Scale stage seeking specialized support in data analytics
  • Businesses that are incorporated, with a full time team member who can provide mentorship to the candidate
  • Companies that echo our collective vision of achieving a gender-balanced workforce in high-tech industries

Program timeline

  • Applications open: April 1, 2025
  • Information Webinar: May 14, 2025
  • Applications close: May 25, 2025
  • Final Candidate Placement Announcement: June 16, 2025
  • 8-week Project Placement: June 30 to August 22, 2025

Participants in the UpliftMobility stream gain knowledge and skills in electrification technologies in automotive, aerospace and infrastructure sectors from McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI).

Program benefits

  • Access skilled workers with in-depth training in electrification technologies.
  • Benefit from our talented candidates without financial commitment for the project
  • Potential to gain a dedicated, long-term employee
  • Support on projects in the following areas:
    • Electrification in automotive systems: Covering electric vehicles, the technical aspects of the vehicles and the future of this field.
    • Electrification in aerospace and aviation: exploring the unique challenges faced by air mobility, alternate propulsion systems, energy storage for aviation, sustainability and regulatory framework.
    • Electrification in infrastructure & smart cities: Focusing on smart grids, electrified public transport, and IoT-driven energy management.

Who should apply

  • Innovation Factory or RDTS clients in the Validation, Efficiency, or Scale stage seeking specialized support electrification technologies in the automotive, aerospace, aviation, infrastructure and smart city space
  • Businesses that are incorporated, with a full time team member who can provide mentorship to the candidate
  • Companies that echo our collective vision of achieving a gender-balanced workforce in high-tech industries

Program timeline

  • Applications open: April 1, 2025
  • Information Webinar: May 14, 2025
  • Applications close: May 25, 2025
  • Final Candidate Placement Announcement: June 16, 2025
  • 8-week Project Placement: June 30 to August 22, 2025

Applications are now closed.

Interested in this program? Speak with an Innovation Advisor to learn more.

Applications are now open!

Interested in this program? Submit your application now to be considered.

Have questions?  Not sure what stream you should apply for? Email us at info@innovationfactory.ca to discuss the program.

Upcoming information sessions

Stay tuned for more information on upcoming information sessions!

Join Innovation Factory's Annual Open House - The Big DiF!

Network with 300+ industry professionals, discover emerging solutions from our innovators, and celebrate entrepreneurship within the Hamilton-Halton ecosystem.

May 14, 2026 | 4:00pm – 8:00pm | Hamilton, Ontario

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Attend HERhalton Women in Business Breakfast

Support and celebrate the achievements of women in business and entrepreneurship. HERhalton by Innovation Factory is the region’s go-to networking event for advocates of women entrepreneurs and features engaging guest speakers to inspire and drive engaging conversation.

Expand your network and connect with the region’s influencers and innovators in the world of women in business

June 4, 2026 | 8:00am – 12:00pm EDT

Meet the top 10 finalists, and watch as they pitch their innovations live to a panel of investors and experts for cash prizes at the 16th LiONS LAIR!

Celebrate the 16th anniversary of the LiONS LAIR pitch competition!

Since 2011, we’ve helped over 170 startups launch and scale their businesses. This fall, network with 350+ entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders at a milestone evening where community, growth & collaboration meet innovation.

Meet the top 10 finalists, and watch as they pitch their innovations live to a panel of investors and experts for cash prizes!

When: September 24, 2026 | 5:00pm – 9:00pm 

Where: Oakville Banquet & Conference Centre |
2515 Wyecroft Rd, Oakville, ON L6L 6P8