MTS unveils 'Future First' Scholarship Program

Community investment initiative supports Manitoba youth pursuing post-secondary education

Stock Symbol:  MBT

WINNIPEG, Jan. 29, 2014 /CNW/ - As part of MTS's new community investment program, Future First: Connecting Today's Youth to Tomorrow, MTS today announced details of its Future First Scholarship Program, designed to encourage and support grade 12 students across Manitoba who aspire to pursue post-secondary studies in the telecommunications industry.

"Our Future First program is all about investing in Manitoba youth and aims to remove obstacles to their achievement and create opportunities for youth to realize their full potential," said Pierre Blouin, Chief Executive Officer of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. "The cost of post-secondary education can be a barrier for advancement for many young people and so we're very pleased to provide annual scholarship funding to students that will contribute to their long-term future and to a skilled workforce for our province."

Open to Canadian citizens living in Manitoba, MTS will award five multi-year scholarships annually to grade 12 graduates and/or mature students in Manitoba who are entering their first year of full-time study in an eligible program in business administration/commerce, computer science/IT, electrical or computer engineering. Future First scholarship recipients are also eligible for summer employment with MTS, providing a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the rapidly evolving telecommunications industry.

Details about the application process and criteria may be found on the MTS Future First website at www.mts.ca/futurefirst/scholarships. The application deadline for this year's scholarships is April 30, 2014 and successful applicants will be announced in June 2014.

MTS Future First: Connecting Today's Youth to Tomorrow is a multi-faceted community investment program that includes sponsorships, grants, donations, scholarships, employee volunteerism and fundraising programs to help in the advancement of Manitoba youth. The program articulates a clear vision for MTS's ongoing contribution to a thriving economy fueled by a vibrant, diverse workforce - one nurtured in healthy communities that provide opportunity and optimism for our young people. For more information about Future First, please visit www.mts.ca/futurefirst, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About MTS
MTS is the leading full-service communications provider for residential and business customers in Manitoba. The company's suite of products and services include the latest in wireless technology, high-speed Internet, an award-winning IPTV service, voice services, home security, and an extensive range of business solutions.  A technology leader, MTS operates advanced wireless networks delivering the best coverage for Manitobans with its 4G, CDMA and Wi-Fi wireless networks and is investing to build out its extensive fibre-to-the-home network in over 20 Manitoba communities. MTS's momentum is fuelled by the knowledge, skills and spirit of its 3,000 Manitoba-based employees. With over 100 years of operations, MTS is rooted firmly in the community and is a proud sponsor of the MTS Centre, home to the NHL's Winnipeg Jets. MTS is wholly owned by Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. which is listed on the TSX (trading symbol: MBT). For information on MTS's products and services, please visit www.mts.ca.

Forward-looking Statements Disclaimer
This news release includes forward-looking statements and information (collectively, the "statements") about the Company's corporate direction, business opportunities, operations, financial objectives and future financial results and performance that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. As a consequence, actual results in the future may differ materially from any conclusion, forecast or projection in such forward-looking statements. Therefore, forward-looking statements should be considered carefully and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Examples of statements that constitute forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "believe", "expect", "project", "should", "anticipate", "could", "target", "forecast", "intend", "plan", "outlook", "see", "set", "pending", and other similar terms. 

Factors that could cause anticipated opportunities and actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, matters identified in the "Material assumptions" section, and the "Risks and uncertainties" section, in the Company's 2012 Annual MD&A and 2012 Annual Information Form, all of which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. 

Please note that forward-looking statements reflect Management's expectations as at the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE: MTS Allstream

Media:  
Samantha Lapedus
Corporate Communications
204-958-3230
[email protected]