Seven Indigenous young people in Winnipeg recently completed Prince’s Trust Canada’s Get Into Banking program. The seven-and-a-half-week paid employment training program was run in collaboration with employer partner CIBC and community organization Youth Employment Services Manitoba (YES Manitoba).
Get Into is a national program that supports NEET young people (Not in Employment, Education or Training) by helping them get skills training and practical work experience to build confidence and overcome barriers to employment.
The program is delivered in collaboration with leading employers from sectors with identified skills shortages and job opportunities.
For the Get Into Banking program in Winnipeg, participants received training for a CSR (Customer Service Representative) role within four CIBC banking centres across the city. In addition to in-class training provided by YES Manitoba, participants got on-the-job training and were teamed up with a mentor or workplace “buddy” while on their placements.
Lena Maneluk, Manager of Client Experience for the Ellice and Empress branch said, “The Get Into program was a great experience for all of us at the Banking Center. Not only were we able to connect with these individuals from our community and help them gain knowledge and experience about our business, but we were also able to hire a participant and welcome her into our Banking Center Family.”
Five of the 7 participants have received full-time job offers with CIBC following the completion of the program. Those who were not hired continue to be supported through YES Manitoba.
As well as building new skills and getting jobs, the program helps participants improve their self-confidence. Participant Meagan Hill said, “The Get Into program helped me see that I can do more with what I was given. I can do anything I put my mind to.”
Over thirty-five partners, supporters, collaborators and guests joined the participants in celebrating their success on December 14, 2018 at the Radisson in downtown Winnipeg.
The program would not be possible without the generous support of our donors and, in particular, RBC Foundation and KPMG. Thanks to CIBC for being a leader in diversity and inclusion.
