Programs with Pathways to Education Winnipeg
and RRC Polytech will provide Indigenous and Newcomer students with
financial and academic supports, mentoring and work-integrated
opportunities
WINNIPEG, MB, Jan. 22,
2024 /CNW/ - IG Wealth Management (IG) today
announced new education partnerships with Pathways to Education
Winnipeg (Pathways Winnipeg) and Red River College Polytechnic (RRC
Polytech) that will provide Indigenous and Newcomer youth in
Winnipeg with a variety of
educational supports, including mentorship, internship, and
scholarship opportunities. The initiatives are part of IG's ongoing
commitment, through its IG Empower Your Tomorrow community
platform, to help underserved groups in the city build their
financial well-being.
"These programs are significant in scope and commitment and
represent a refocussing of our approach to community investment in
Winnipeg," said Damon Murchison, President and CEO, IG Wealth
Management. "We want to concentrate our resources on supporting
education and career path development to build financial
well-being, particularly for historically underserved groups in the
city. I'm excited about the impact our work with Pathways Winnipeg
and RRC Polytech will have on high school graduation rates for
Indigenous and Newcomer students and the doors it will open as they
pursue post-secondary studies and careers with the support they
deserve."
Providing Support for
High-School Students
The renowned national Pathways to Education Program is delivered
in Winnipeg through the Community
Education Development Association (CEDA), a Winnipeg-based organization that promotes
education to create opportunities for growth, knowledge, and
freedom for the city's youth. IG and CEDA will work together
to support approximately 750 high school students enrolled in the
Pathways Program—the majority being Indigenous or Newcomers to
Canada—over three years with career and employability skills,
tailored academic, financial and social supports, mentoring, and
post-secondary education guidance. Programming will be focussed in
Lord Selkirk Park, William Whyte,
Dufferin, and North Point Douglas.
"We know that having the right financial and social supports in
place are critical to increasing high school graduation rates,"
said Jordan Bighorn, Executive Director of CEDA. "That's why this
partnership with IG is so critical. We want to make sure students
across Winnipeg can access all the
opportunities that come with earning a high school diploma,
including having the option of pursuing their studies at a college
or university."
New IG Empower Indigenous
Scholarship and Career Development Program with RRC
Polytech
IG also announced that it has partnered with RRC Polytech,
Manitoba's largest institute of
applied learning and research, to establish a comprehensive support
program for Indigenous students each year within the School of
Business, Information Technology and Creative Arts, and the School
of Hospitality and Culinary Arts. The IG Empower Program is part of
an ongoing, long-term partnership that will provide not only
financial support as students continue their studies, but also a
collaborative environment for students to benefit from career
mentorship opportunities.
It includes the creation of a new IG Empower Navigation Coach
position to support up to 300 Indigenous students throughout their
academic journey and promote their overall well-being – each year.
It also establishes a Scholarship and Career Development Program to
help remove financial barriers (through tuition support) and create
new career opportunities for up to 12 eligible students annually.
This program serves as a bridge and fosters academic achievement
and leadership development as Indigenous students progress from the
Pathway Program and continue their studies into RRC Polytech
certificate and diploma programs.
The Scholarship and Career Development Program also provides
opportunities for paid internships at IG Wealth Management in
Winnipeg for the purpose of
enhancing student learning, leadership development, and exploration
of career options.
"This partnership with IG Wealth Management will remove barriers
through guidance, mentorship and financial supports, and further
enhance our ability to support Indigenous students, ensuring they
become not just successful graduates, but leaders poised to excel
in their respective fields of study and with leading Manitoba employers such as IG," said
Jamie Wilson, Vice President,
Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development, RRC
Polytech.
Both these programs build on existing partnerships IG has in
place with University of Winnipeg and
University of Manitoba.
The Pathways Winnipeg and RRC Polytech partnerships are part of
the IG Empower Your Tomorrow community platform, which gives
Canadians the resources, tools and confidence they need to own
their own financial future. Through focused community support and
engagement, we can make a real impact and inspire financial
confidence, literacy, and resilience among young people in
Canada from coast-to-coast.
About IG Wealth Management
Founded in 1926, IG Wealth
Management is a national leader in delivering personalized
financial solutions to Canadians through a network of advisors
located across Canada. IG Wealth
Management has $121.2 billion in
assets under advisement as of December 31,
2023, and is a member of the IGM Financial Inc. (TSX: IGM)
group of companies. IGM Financial, together with its subsidiaries,
is one of Canada's leading
diversified wealth and asset management companies with
approximately $240 billion in total
assets under management and advisement as of December 31, 2023.
About Pathways to Education
Pathways to Education is a
national, charitable organization breaking the cycle of poverty
through education. Its award-winning program is creating positive
social change by supporting youth living in low-income communities
across Canada to overcome barriers
to education, graduate from high school, and build the foundation
for a successful future. Through the collective power of
partnerships, Pathways to Education's innovative program is
preparing youth for tomorrow.
About CEDA
CEDA has been an active part of
community building in Winnipeg's
inner-city neighbourhoods for nearly 40 years. Since 1979, CEDA has
been rooted in strong community development values and the belief
that building community voice and taking action is the most
empowering activity for neighbourhoods.
About RRC Polytech
Red River College Polytechnic (RRC
Polytech) is Manitoba's only
Polytechnic and largest institute of applied learning and research,
with more than 200 full- and part-time degree, diploma and
certificate options. Through hands-on learning opportunities and
state-of-the-art instruction, we prepare more than 22,000 students
annually to become leaders in their fields – while also ensuring
they can meet changing industry demands and contribute to the
province's economic growth.
SOURCE IG Wealth Management