Build awareness of the charitable sector with the RBC Career Launch Program’s Secondment to a Registered Canadian Charity
On October 8, 2013, the RBC Career Launch™ Program (“Program”) was announced as part of RBC's Kids Pledge. The year-long paid internship is designed to help break the "no experience — no job" cycle that many young graduates face. A key insight we gained while developing the program was that youth across Canada share RBC's passion for making a real difference in the community; an opportunity provided during the Career Launch Program Associates' (“Associates”) second rotation within the program.
The Program's second rotation, a three-month secondment to a Registered Canadian Charity (“Charity”), will focus on building the Associates' awareness of the charitable sector while providing them the opportunity to gain valuable skills in the areas of project management, communication, collaboration, and creative thinking.
To learn more about the program’s secondment to a Registered Canadian Charity in 2015, please view the frequently asked questions section below.
What is the RBC Career Launch Program?
The RBC Career Launch Program provides a first career experience through a year-long paid opportunity for college and/or university garduates in Canada aged 24 and under. The program will help the Associates develop a core set of skills and immerse them in a wide range of hands-on business and community experiences that will strengthen their future employability.
Why is RBC launching the program?
An increasing number of young people are having difficulty entering the workforce and establishing themselves in sustainable careers. The rate of youth unemployment is 12.6 per cent* (Statscan reference). RBC's Career Launch Program is a multi-year investment to break the 'no experience – no job' cycle many youth face upon post-secondary graduation. The program is part of RBC's broader commitment to youth and to creating a stronger Canada.
Why is RBC doing this? What do we hope to achieve?
The benefit of the RBC Career Launch Program is that we demonstrate a solution that breaks the 'no experience – no job' cycle for youth in Canada and provide young people in Canada with a first-career experience that utilizes their talent and optimism, and builds their confidence for the future.
How will the Associates benefit from this program?
The opportunity to learn from and work alongside professionals with a wide range of expertise, practical hands-on business experience, mentorship and community engagement all help to bridge the gap between school and career-life.
By offering a year-long paid experience, the program propels Associates into the career phase of their lives, positioning them for long-term professional and personal success. In short – it’s a kick start to youth careers.
What does the community involvement component consist of?
The community involvement component is a secondment, where RBC Career Launch Associates remain as contract employees of RBC while gaining exposure to the operations of a charity. Through a placement at a local charity, Associates will apply practical business skills to contribute to the organization and the communities or causes they work with. Additionally, Associates will have the opportunity to build networks and valuable relationships that extend beyond workplace boundaries.
We all want Canada to be a country where everybody can achieve their full potential. Over the years, we've learned that everyone wants to feel included, to be respected and to have the opportunity to make a contribution and build a stronger Canada. These are elements of building citizenship, and the community involvement component of RBC's Career Launch Program helps provide these building blocks.
Is my charity eligible to apply to the program?
The RBC Career Launch Program is currently available to targeted RBC community partners. For the fiscal 2015 program, all targeted RBC community partners will be contacted directly with an invitation to apply in February 2015.
What cities will be participating in this program?
The cities in which roles will be available in 2015 include: Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Montréal, Moncton, Halifax, Oakville/Burlington, Guelph, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Oshawa/Whitby, Barrie, Kingston and Ottawa.
If I'm NOT in one of the 13 cities where this program is available how do I get involved?
The RBC Career Launch Program is currently available to targeted RBC community partners in the 16 participating cities.
If I'm in one of the 16 cities where this program is available how do I get involved?
The RBC Career Launch Program is currently open to targeted RBC community partners in the 16 participating cities. For the fiscal 2015 program, all targeted RBC community partners will be contacted directly with an invitation to apply in February 2015.
When will Associates be available?
Associates will be available from August 3rd – October 30th, 2015.
Is the timeframe flexible?
The RBC Career Launch Program includes three rotations with specific durations that make up the first career experience for Associates. The community secondment takes place in the second rotation and Associates will need to fulfill their work responsibilities for the first and third rotations.
Are the hours flexible?
Yes, the hours are flexible to meet your operating needs and should amount to full time hours - 37.5/hrs per week. Alternative work arrangements including working from home will not generally be permitted and will be considered on an exception basis only.
If I'm already a partner will I be pressured?
No. We are proud of our partnership with your organization and that partnership does not hinge on your support or involvement in this program.
Capacity to handle volunteers is challenging. What do you expect them to be able to do?
It's important for your organization to think about what is acceptable and what level of work is appropriate for the Associates in order to give them the best experience and fulfill their mandate of helping the community. Associates will be helpful for a wide range of duties. Consider them for project based assignments that give them an understanding of the operations of a charity, such as planning special events, galas, annual general meetings, or recognition ceremonies. Other suitable work assignments include:
- Reviewing and providing recommendations to existing programs/projects and/or creating new approaches;
- Development of marketing and communications materials or the development of social media approaches;
- Involving them in brainstorming and building innovative ideas such as fundraising and donor retention strategies,
- Volunteer coordination, data collection, analysis and research.
What quality of candidate can I expect? What are their skill sets?
Through the selection process we will be vetting their skills and experience to ensure that the candidates meet the behavioural competencies and program requirements. We are looking to select Associates who are team-focused, with solid communication skills, open to embracing new opportunities, flexible and eager to learn, results-oriented and committed to quality work.
This program is intended to provide a first career experience and we expect that the Associates will have transferrable skills gained through summer jobs and have volunteer experience. In addition, they will have gained six months of working experience in retail banking at RBC.
What types of projects can we provide to Associates over three months?
We want Associates to have a meaningful experience. Three month projects should be ready with an onboarding plan.
Who do I contact?
You can reach a member of the RBC Career Launch team at careerlaunch@rbc.com.
Do I need to provide training to the Associates?
To make the most of the experience for both your organization and the Associate, an orientation that includes a foundational understanding of your goals, mission and the work you do will be beneficial. Job shadowing and invites to regular team meetings are also a great way to integrate the Associate into your team.
Will I be provided training?
The RBC Career Launch team will host an on-boarding webinar to set clear expectations 6-8 weeks before the start of community secondment.
Who will the Associates be reporting to?
The Associates will be reporting to one of our Managers, RBC Career Launch Program based in Toronto.
What tools and/or equipments do I need to provide the Associate during the secondment period?
You will be providing the Associate with access to a work-space, computer equipment, email address, business phone and tools necessary during the secondment. They will also need a quiet space to conduct their RBC learning and professional development curriculum (i.e. an office).
Can you provide any best practices/examples on a meaningful experience for both Charity and Associate?
A structured project plan with detailed deliverables and regular communications to set clear expectations are keys to success. Do leverage Associate’s diverse educational background, skills and interests for the scope of the project. Opportunities to job shadow and/or collaborate with various departments within your organization will also be valuable to the Associate’s professional development.
What is the application process to request for an Associate?
Selected charities will be receiving an invitation to apply package in February 2015 and interested charities to submit their application by March 6, 2015
Can I submit multiple applications?
There is a limit of one application/Associate per organization. Exception: If the charity has multiple geographic locations across Canada where the program is taking place, the charity may submit an application for each city.
Who do I contact if there is a change to the original submitted application?
Please contact careerlaunch@rbc.com to advise of any changes that may affect the original submitted project scope and/or support for the Associate with advance notice or as soon as they occur if advance notice is not possible.
What is the matching process once our charity is selected?
The matching process will be done based on the project scope, deliverables and required skills to the Associate’s capabilities, experience, project preference and area of interest. While efforts will be made to align the Associate's interest to the selected project assignments, we are not able to guarantee alignment due to availability of placements.
When will I know if our charity is selected to receive an RBC Career Launch Program Associate?
All charities will be notified via email of the decision by May 22, 2015th.
What are the next steps once our charity is selected?
All selected partners will be signing a Partnership Agreement and arrange to request for a Vulnerable Sector Check for the Associate (if applicable).
What will happen if the Associate who is on secondment to our charity resigns?
As a condition of entering the Program, Associates are expected to commit to and complete all three work rotations. Associate resignation is beyond the reasonable control of RBC. If the Associate resigns prior to or during their secondment, RBC will do its best to provide an alternate solution depending on the scenario and current project status with no guarantee for a replacement. For example, if the Associate resigns before the first 4 weeks of the rotation, an alternate RBC employee may be seconded for the project if a resource is available. If the Associate resigns in the latter stage of the rotation, another RBC Career Launch Program Associate may be able to provide support in the completion of the project in addition to his/her original assigned project, if this resource is available. RBC will not be in a position to replace the Associate at the Registered Canadian Charity should the Associate resign before the end of the secondment.
What kind of support to the Associate is expected?
It will be expected that each Associate be on-boarded at the charity they are seconded to. We encourage field managers to provide regular feedback at bi-weekly meetings, mid-point and end-point reviews. Managers will be asked to complete a survey at the end of the rotation.
What does the progress review consist of?
The Associate’s local manager will be asked to provide feedback on the participant’s progress based on the RBC capabilities outlined in the progress review. RBC will provide the forms to be completed.
How are RBC’s community partners reacting to the program?
The response from RBC’s community partners has been overwhelmingly positive. We received more than double the number of applications needed to provide our Associates with meaningful not-for-profit experience in the second rotation. Our community partners provided positive feedback on the work our Associates did and our Associates were excited and enthusiastic about their placements.
How have RBC employees responded to the program?
RBC employees are proud to be helping break the ‘no experience, no job’ cycle for recent graduates.
The RBC Career Launch Program is entering its second year. What are the current RBC Career Launch Associates saying about the program?
The RBC Career Launch Associates are highly engaged and have told us that they believe RBC is delivering on our promise of providing them with a meaningful first career experience.
Associates are telling us that their experience at RBC has either met, or exceeded their expectations.
