Funds will help launch a new degree program
at the University of Waterloo, develop
programming at Wilfrid Laurier
University, and expand the skilled trades experience at
Conestoga College
WATERLOO, ON, Nov. 9, 2022
/CNW/ - Today RBC Foundation announced a combined donation of
$3.5 million over five years to three
Waterloo Region post-secondary institutions: University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University and Conestoga College.
Powered by RBC Future Launch, the funds will help develop programs
with work integrated learning opportunities to help support
"green" collar work1 and inclusivity in the skilled
trades.
This collaboration is part of RBC Future Launch's 10-year,
$500 million commitment to helping
Canadian youth prepare for the jobs of tomorrow. Graduates from
these programs will have the capabilities to contribute to
Canada's skills revolution and be
among the next generation of leaders in sustainability and the
skilled trades industries.
"By investing in our students, we are investing in our future.
Supporting the trades and "green" skills learning is key to
preparing youth for the jobs of tomorrow," said Claude DeMone, Regional President, Southwestern Ontario, RBC. "It is estimated
that 15 per cent of Canada's
labour force is expected to be disrupted over the next 10 years as
we transition to a net-zero economy. There is an urgent need for
businesses and governments to step up and do more. That's why we
are partnering with three of Canada's respected post-secondary
institutions, to help prepare youth for the future world of
work."
The donation includes $2 million
to help launch a new interdisciplinary degree program at the
University of Waterloo – the
Bachelor of Sustainability and Finance Management – which will
be the first of its kind in Canada. As part of this program, the funds
will help establish a network of mentorship and experiential
learning opportunities and develop a hub for sustainability
integration which will connect students with faculty and industry
partners to create a forum for sharing knowledge and research.
"We see enormous opportunity for sustainable finance to drive
the changes our society needs – including a healthier planet and
more inclusive, more prosperous communities," said Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor of the
University of Waterloo. "We thank RBC
for building on our incredible 40-year partnership to offer young
people the opportunity to gain the experience and expertise they
will need to tackle the challenge of creating a sustainable
future."
Over the next five years, RBC Foundation's $850,000 commitment to Wilfrid Laurier University will support new
programming in the area of climate change management. More
specifically, the donation will support the development of specific
experiential learning, research and teaching opportunities with the
goal of preparing students for critical emerging jobs.
"We are excited to partner with RBC Foundation in the
development of programming in climate change management, a key
component of our goal to advance planetary health," says Laurier
President and Vice-Chancellor Deborah
MacLatchy. "We are grateful for our long-standing
partnership with RBC, which has aimed to develop leaders who
thrive through change and generate solutions to the challenges of
our time. Climate change is a pressing issue, and this partnership
is a response to supporting planetary health and effecting
positive outcomes."
The funds will provide access to community-centred learning
events for students, and the opportunity for students to work
alongside university researchers and Indigenous leaders who are
developing climate change adaptation strategies in the Northwest Territories. Graduates will be
trained to help lead Canada on its
journey to net-zero.
RBC Foundation's $650,000 donation
to Conestoga College will be directed to its
ongoing efforts to help change the current perception of what it is
like to learn and work within the skilled trades, recruit youth
from marginalized communities, and enhance career support resources
for new skilled trades professionals.
"We are deeply grateful to RBC and the RBC Foundation for their
partnership and investment in Conestoga and our students," said
John Tibbits, President of
Conestoga. "Funding received through RBC Future Launch will provide
opportunities for young people across Canada to discover their potential and launch
successful skilled trades careers. It will also contribute to the
well-being and prosperity of our communities by building an
essential talent pipeline to address urgent skilled workforce
needs."
The funding will support the national roll-out of Jill of All
TradesTM, a targeted one-day program developed by
Conestoga that will introduce more than 14,000 young women across
Canada to the potential of skilled
trades careers. The funding will also be used to establish a
Skilled Trades Talent Development hub to help individuals from
underrepresented groups develop skills for success in the
workplace, and create pathways to entrepreneurship through
Conestoga's Entrepreneurship Collective for skilled trades
professionals hoping to launch or build their own businesses.
About RBC
Royal Bank of Canada is a
global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led
approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from
the 92,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights
to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our
clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada's biggest bank and one of the largest
in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified
business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional
experiences to our 17 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn
more at rbc.com.
We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives
through donations, community investments and employee volunteer
activities. See how at rbc.com/community-social-impact.
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RBC Special Report,
Green Collar Jobs: The skills revolution Canada needs to reach
Net Zero (2022)
https://thoughtleadership.rbc.com/green-collar-jobs-the-skills-revolution-canada-needs-to-reach-net-zero/
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SOURCE RBC