Toronto Financial Services Alliance issued the following announcement on April 12.

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

Original source: http://www.tfsa.ca/news-and-events/