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/