An agile future through work-integrated learning
April 29, 2016
Speech by David McKay, president & chief executive officer, Royal Bank of Canada to the Universities Canada membership meeting in Toronto, April 27, 2016.
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Highlights:
“Work-integrated learning is critical for several reasons… It’s how people today learn. This is a hands-on generation. They like to experiment, to challenge and to share. They’re certainly not passive…”
“…Work-integrated learning also improves economic access for minority groups, especially Indigenous Canadians and new Canadians… It’s a social leveller. And it exposes students from all backgrounds to the way much of Canada operates…”
“…we need more government funding for co-ops and work-integrated learning. The recent Federal Budget took a welcome step, with $73 million over four years to support such efforts. This can help students who can’t afford co-op placement fees, and also ease the burden on employers…”
“…Universities are essential to the competitiveness of businesses like RBC. They’re also essential to attracting and forming the kinds of new Canadians who will make this country better in every imaginable way. I believe that increasing experiential learning should be at the very heart of this…”
Related information
- University and college students should have access to work-integrated learning, media release and backgrounder, Canadian Business/Higher Education Roundtable, May 2016
