The future of work in Sudbury is bright and was on display at the recent Cambrian College Student Innovation Challenge, powered by RBC Future Launch. The annual competition, held virtually on April 29, provided the opportunity for student entrepreneurs to pitch their innovative business ideas to a panel of industry and college experts.
This year’s winner of the competition was Kate Keaney, a Business Administration student from Sudbury. Her business pitch was ‘Rosie Construction and Renovations’, a company that would hire and support women in trades. Kate was awarded $3,000 from RBC Future Launch towards implementing her idea into practice.
“This is absolutely incredible,” said Keaney. “I see this as a step toward equity in the workplace and I’m looking forward to moving ahead with this initiative – one people in the community are telling me is needed.”
For Keaney, she plans to utilize this funding to support additional market research, so she is ready to launch her idea once she completes her studies at Cambrian College.
As a first-year sponsor of the Challenge, RBC is proud to help prepare students for the future of workshop in the lead-up to the Challenge, helping participating students with their business pitches. Bill Bray, Vice President Commercial Financial Services at RBC, also participated on the Challenge’s judging panel.
“The work these students are doing is impressive. It’s this innovative and entrepreneurial thinking that challenges all of us to accelerate our progress,” said Bray. “The collaboration with Cambrian College on this initiative is what RBC Future Launch is all about – fostering the ideas and skills needed to excel in today’s changing workplace. We’re excited to follow these students as they move forward with implementing their winning ideas into practice.”
Participation in the Innovation Challenge is just one component of RBC’s wider support of Cambrian College. RBC support includes the newly approved commitment to the school’s Work-Integrated and Job Readiness program, which will provide the opportunity for more Cambrian students to build in-demand employability skills and prepare for the workforce through co-ops, networking and training opportunities.
RBC is proud to partner with Cambrian College and is excited to continue supporting students prepare for the future of work.
To learn more about RBC Future Launch visit rbc.com/futurelaunch.