TECHNATION Launches an Innovative Program to Foster Future Talent in Collaboration with Alterna Savings
MISSISSAUGA, ON – January 6, 2024 –TECHNATION’s Career Ready Program is excited to announce a new initiative in collaboration with Alterna Savings (Alterna). This pilot program aims to support talent acquisition by small and medium businesses in Ontario’s tech industry through a combination of access to financing options, wage subsidies for student hires, and connecting employers to a diverse pool of qualified candidates.
Eligible businesses will have the opportunity to apply for financing through Alterna’s award-winning Community Microfinance loan program, ultimately enabling them to hire and onboard new employees as they continue to grow their businesses. Additionally, Career Ready will provide wage subsidies for employers of up to $5,000 for student-hires who are participating in tech immersive work placements and up to $7,000 for similar student-hires who identify as being part of an underrepresented group.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Alterna Savings to launch this innovative pilot program,” said Brett Hotas, Executive Director, Future Workforce Development Strategy at TECHNATION. “Nurturing a talent pipeline in Ontario and across Canada is critical to a thriving tech ecosystem. By combining financial support with access to talented students, we are empowering businesses to build stronger teams and grow Canada’s tech sector.”
“Alterna Savings has been a leader in supporting businesses and communities through our Community Microfinance program for over 20 years,” says Jean Barrett, Manager of the Community Microfinance Program at Alterna Savings. “This collaboration with TECHNATION will help continue our work to address socioeconomic inequity and create opportunities for financial growth for businesses, employees and communities by reducing barriers to banking for those often excluded from financing.”
Learn more about this pilot program and application details here.
About TECHNATION
TECHNATION is Canada’s leading technology association, uniting industry, government, and communities to enable economic prosperity across the nation. Our members encompass Canadian and global SMEs, firms and innovators who contribute to enhancing Canada’s economic growth and global competitiveness through technology. At TECHNATION, we champion technology prosperity through advocacy, thought leadership, talent development, networking and business development opportunities. Learn more at www.technationcanada.ca.
About Alterna Savings
Alterna Savings and Credit Union Limited (Alterna Savings) has been the good in banking® for over 115 years.
As the first full-service, member-owned cooperative financial institution outside Quebec, Alterna Savings shares its expertise with over 210,000 members through a network of over 40 branches across Ontario, as well as call centre and digital channels. Members and customers also benefit from an industry-leading online brokerage investment management services and have access to over 43,000 surcharge-free ATMs in North America with THE EXCHANGE Network in Canada and the Allpoint Network in the US.
For more information:
Justine Kintanar
Executive Director, Communications and Marketing, TECHNATION
jkintanar@technationcanada.ca
Media Contact: Alterna Savings
Samira Rehman, Director, Communications
Alterna Savings | Alterna Bank
samira.rehman@alterna.ca
Community Microfinance Program Contact: Alterna Savings
Jean Barrett
Manager, Community Microfinance Program
jean.barrett@alterna.ca
