RBC Future Launch is committing $330,000 in funding over three years for student initiatives at Cambrian College.
As part of this initiative, Cambrian College will develop a host of new and exciting opportunities for students, including:
An expanded Work-Integrated Learning Education Program, designed to integrate optional co-op education opportunities for students in trades, technology, health-care and business-related programs, as well as enhanced mandatory placements for programs currently in operation
The creation of the Cambrian Leadership Academy, offering enhanced job-readiness and leadership training to interested students in Cambrian’s 80+ programs
The development of a stackable credential course in Small Business Entrepreneurism, where students in a variety of programs will be provided with the opportunity to investigate the world of being their own boss, creating wealth and generating economic value to their communities through job creation and consuming/providing services
The integration of digital competency badges that can be shared by graduates on LinkedIn or displayed in ePortfolios. These badges speak to the unique skills built-in to each program that may not be obvious to employers simply viewing an applicant’s area of study (i.e. Photoshop, entrepreneurship, event management etc.)
Funding for new equipment needed to support learning and research outcomes for all of the initiatives listed above and more.
“Our collective prosperity will depend on today’s young people and their ability to take on a future that brings with it unprecedented technological and economic change,” said Scott Simon, RBC Regional Vice President, Northern Lakes.
“Additionally, entrepreneurship will be what helps us thrive in the future by creating jobs and wealth in our communities.
“That’s why through RBC Future Launch, we’re working together with educators, community leaders, industry experts and employers to encourage new ways of thinking and approaches to drive long-term, sustainable solutions and ventures in the world of work for future generations. “We’re excited to partner with Cambrian College to help pave the path to ensure workforce security and stability, today and into the future.”
“Once again RBC Future Launch is here to support Cambrian as we strive to be a top destination for students,” says Cambrian College president, Bill Best. “This new program is tailored to our goal of offering students more work-integrated learning and experiences, preparing them for great careers in an ever-changing workforce.”
“Today’s announcement is a huge plus for Cambrian and our students,” explains Sidney Shapiro, Professor and Program Coordinator of Cambrian’s Business and Crime Analytics programs. “Some of our newest programming is already leading-edge and thanks to RBC, we’ll continue to be ahead of the game when we’re teaching our students about current industry trends and techniques. We’ll be teaching in real time with what employers want and knowing what they need in the future.”
This new initiative has local employers excited as well.
“At HARD-LINE, we develop technology that makes the mining process much safer and more productive,” says Claude Sharma, HARD-LINE’s Public Relations and Communications Specialist. “We already recruit directly from Cambrian College and with our global operation, this funded program is a perfect fit for us as an industry partner already utilizing tomorrow’s technology ideas to advance mining far into the future.”
