Toronto Financial Services Alliance welcomes the Government of Canada's support to create more student work opportunities for post-secondary students in financial services
TORONTO, April 12, 2018 /CNW/ - Giving post-secondary students the chance to learn in a hands-on work environment is part of the Government's plan to put Canada's greatest strength - its skilled people - at the heart of a more innovative new economy.
"When Canadian students get on-the-job education, they're getting the experience they need to succeed, a key goal of our Innovation and Skills Plan."
- The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
To that end, the Government of Canada is providing almost $2.1 million over a three-year period to Toronto Financial Services Alliance (TFSA) for ASPIRE, our work-integrated learning pilot project in financial services (FS), which aims to attract, up-skill and retain post-secondary students developing in-demand skills in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). TFSA is leading the project on behalf of the FS sector.
The Government's Student Work Placement Program will distribute a total of $73 million over the next four years to recognized industry associations and organizations that represent the interests of businesses in key sectors across the country, to create thousands of paid student work placements and facilitate stronger partnerships between employers and post-secondary institutions.
TFSA will use the funds to scale up ASPIRE, which was designed in collaboration with our industry and academic members and launched last April. FS employers participating in ASPIRE fund all of their student placements themselves.
"We are thrilled to partner with the Government of Canada to expand ASPIRE's reach and impact. Its support will enable us to increase employer and academia engagement, and offer more students more opportunities to gain professional experience and "work-ready" skills."
- Sashya D'Souza, Senior Vice President, TFSA
The Honourable Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance made the announcement at Ryerson University's DMZ yesterday, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu.
"A world-class talent base is key to establishing Toronto as a leading international financial centre. Our FS employers have always recognized the importance of investing in students. Our new partnership with the Government of Canada provides the means for us to stimulate even more industry participation and collaboration to develop our students and ensure their career success."
- Jennifer Reynolds, President & CEO, TFSA
About Toronto Financial Services Alliance
TFSA is a not-for-profit organization, working in partnership with government, the financial services sector and academia. TFSA's mission is to lead collective action that drives the competitiveness and growth of Toronto's financial sector and establishes its prominence as a leading international financial centre. For more information, please visit tfsa.ca and aspirefs.ca.
SOURCE Toronto Financial Services Alliance
For further information and media enquiries, please contact: TFSA Contact: Sonia Prashar, spPR Inc., 416-560-6753; Government of Canada Contact: Matt Pascuzzo, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, P.C., M.P., Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, [email protected], 819-654-4183; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]
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