RBC Future Launch will help thousands of at-risk students in Canada with academic support and leadership training.
On 27 May Neil McLaughlin, RBC Group Head, Personal & Commercial Banking, attended an innovative Youth Leadership Conference in Toronto.
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Over 200 students from five different schools participated in the event, supported through the RBC Future Launch initiative.
The conference was conducted by RBC community partner, International Development & Relief Foundation (IDRF). Specifically, the event is part of its “Get Job Ready” Youth Programmes.
Due to his personal commitment to the advancement of youth in Canada, McLaughlin sat in at various break-out sessions.
RBC Future Launch: promoting diversity and inclusion
In particular, McLaughlin saw how the RBC Future Launch initiative is having a greater reach and impact on diverse youth.
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By GlobalDataStudents listened with rapt attention to his message of taking initiative and believing in themselves.
He said they should not be fazed by hurdles and negative feedback but instead making them into positive learning experiences. Later, during his meeting with IDRF, he commented on how he was moved by the authenticity of the leadership presenters. He added that he was delighted by the refreshing candour and insightful responses of the youth.
RBC Future Launch: a 10 year, C$500m initiative
The bank believes that creating a positive social impact, not just an economic one, is integral to its business. RBC Future Launch aligns with this vision. To illustrate the bank’s commitment, Future Launch is a 10-year, C$500m initiative.
It helps young Canadians gain access and opportunity to the skills, job experience, and career networks needed. It is investing in areas that help young people learn skills, experience jobs, share knowledge, and build resilience. The initiative addresses a lack of relevant experience and skills and stimulates future readiness.
IDRF, a Canadian NGO, is responding creatively to the unique challenges of newcomer, immigrant, refugee, and other vulnerable youth. It is implementing inclusive opportunities through its “Get Job Ready” programmes.
In particular, these programmes focus on helping diverse Canadian youth overcome barriers they face.
Examples include getting academic support, gaining access to the labour market, and achieving their career goals. In addition, it meets the challenge of cuts to education funding, and the high levels of under-employment among Canadian youth.
IDRF: helping over 30,000 students
Over the past 17 years, IDRF has provided more than 30,000 Canadian students with academic support and leadership training. This comes via its Licensed to Learn (L2L) Peer-Tutoring and Leadership Programme.
In addition, over the past year more than 5,000 students have participated in the L2L programme as Tutors or Peers.
Funding is provided by the RBC Future Launch Initiative. Notably, these students have cumulatively dedicated over 16,000 hours to peer-tutoring sessions.
It is telling that IDRF, in its first 15 years was able to train 25,000 youth. But since it received funding from RBC in the past two years, IDRF has already trained 5,000 youth. This proves the crucial equation between greater resources and greater programmatic reach with wider impact.
There is a growing interest in strong partnerships between businesses and the community. Moreover, organisations such as IDRF can be instrumental in expanding services to a wider, inclusive spectrum of youth. This develops critical job readiness and leadership skills needed to prepare for a more promising future for Canadian youth.
RBC partnership vital
“Since we launched the IDRF Youth programme, we have noted a surge in demand, especially in the last two years” says Winston Kassim, C.M. Chair of IDRF Global Monitoring. “This can be attributed to the cuts in education funding and the high levels of under employment among Canadian youth.
“RBC partnership is vital in helping us to cope with some of the demands. Such resources and funding from concerned corporations are key to helping IDRF provide more programmes to address the plight of vulnerable youth.”
