RBC Foundation Announces $1.1 Million Investment in Actua’s Future Skills Program
Ottawa, ON - February 5, 2019
Today RBC Foundation announced a $1.1 million investment in Actua’s Future Skills program as part of RBC’s Future Launch Program.
The announcement was made by John Stackhouse, Senior Vice-President, Office of the CEO, RBC, at a special panel event hosted by the Canadian Club of Ottawa on the Future of Work: the Coming Skills Revolution. The panel was moderated by Colin McKay, Head of Public Policy, Google Canada and included Jennifer Flanagan, CEO, Actua and The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour.
Actua’s Future Skills program, launched in 2018, supports the development of employability skills and competencies for the 1,000 undergraduate students across Canada who work for Actua’s 38 university and college-based members. In addition to having a meaningful employment experience, the undergraduate students, studying in science, engineering, math, computer science and education, participate in training and coaching that prepare them for success in the workforce.
“We are extremely pleased to have RBC Foundation, one of Actua’s longest-standing supporters, invest in our Future Skills program,” said Jennifer Flanagan, CEO, Actua. “This program addresses a critical gap in employability skills among undergraduate students who are about to enter the workforce, and sets them up to be leaders in inclusive innovation. It also equips them with essential skills such as leadership, problem solving, risk taking, financial literacy and cultural competency.”
RBC Future Launch is a 10-year, $500 million commitment to empower Canadian youth for the jobs of tomorrow. With a focus on networking, skills development, practical work experience and mental wellbeing supports and services, the initiative aims to help break down the barriers facing young people.
Through RBC Future Launch and RBC’s new partnership with Actua our goal is to help young people access meaningful employment through practical skills development.
“As digital and machine technology advances, the next generation of Canadians will need to be more adaptive, creative and collaborative, adding and refining skills to keep pace with a world of work undergoing profound change,” said John Stackhouse, SVP, Office of the CEO, RBC. “That’s what RBC Future Launch is all about, and through our partnership with Actua, we hope to enable young people to identify, articulate and build their skills—and help young Canadians develop them.”
About Actua
Actua is Canada’s leading science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) youth outreach network representing 38 university and college based members. Each year 250,000 young Canadians in over 500 communities nationwide are inspired through hands-on educational workshops, camps and community outreach initiatives. Actua focuses on the engagement of underrepresented youth through specialized programs for Indigenous youth, girls and young women, at-risk youth and youth living in Northern and remote communities. Actua’s major funders include: Government of Canada, Google Canada, Suncor Energy Foundation, GE Canada, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Finning, Toyota Canada Foundation, RBC Foundation, and Lockheed Martin.
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 84,000+ employees who 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 16 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 34 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-sustainability.
Contact Information
Kristina Martin, Director of Communications, Actua
111 Murray Street, Ottawa ON K1N 5M5
Tel: (613) 234 4137
E-mail: kristina.martin@actua.ca
Web: www.actua.ca
Briana D’Archi | Corporate Communications
RBC Investor & Treasury Services
416-955-5658
briana.darchi@rbc.com