Contrary to the downward spiral of the economy, the financial services Sector is facing an employment crunch. “We’re facing a shortage. We have to allocate a great deal of time and effort toward training employees to learn essential job skills. What we really need are job-ready graduates who combine an understanding of the industry with great people skills to deliver the financial services our customers need,” says Brian Haier, Senior Vice-President of Human Resources for the Retail Banking Division of TD Bank Financial Group.

To respond to this critical shortage of skilled employees, George Brown College in Toronto has created a Centre for Financial Services Education. George Brown is the only post-secondary institution to set up a Centre of excellence with full-time programs dedicated exclusively to the financial services sector. The Centre is unlike any other business education in Ontario.

The Centre for Financial Services Education at the George Brown School of Business:
> Develops their courses, instruction and coop programs with continuous input from Toronto’s leading financial services companies including Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Fidelity Investments and TD Bank Financial Group as well as industry associations.
> Provides students with the flexibility to choose courses to fit their individual interests and career goals as they progress.
> Provides co-op work terms with the neighbouring financial community to give students the real-world experience they need.
> Gives students the opportunity to fulfill requirements for industry licensure, certification and accreditation as part of their regular course work.
> Integrates essential on-the-job skills specifically required by the
financial services sector into course work.

“We understand the importance of this sector, and the necessary critical thinking and communication skills that this sector requires. George Brown has listened to the financial community and we’re responding,” says Cary List, who has come from the financial industry to be the Director of the new Centre for Financial Services Education at George Brown College. Students are currently enrolling for the Centre’s new programs which begin in September 2001, says List.