TORONTO, ON - November 04, 2014 /CNW/ - On November 5, workplaces across Canada will be buzzing with youthful energy, as Grade 9 students take over the world of work during The Learning Partnership's annual Take Our Kids to Work™ day, marking the program's special 20^th anniversary milestone.

Thanks to the annual support from Scotiabank since inception, Take Our Kids to Work™ day has developed into a nationally recognized initiative involving more than 250,000 students, 18,000 teachers and 75,000 organizations, spanning every province and territory. The program gives Canada's future workforce a head-start to their careers.

For these students, it will be a different kind of classroom, as they experience a profession or job through the lens of a parent, relative, family friend or volunteer. For many, this will be their first real eye-opener to life after school. They will explore career options, 'try on' a few jobs, discover their interests, and take what they've learned in school into real-life context.

To celebrate the program's 20^th anniversary, The Learning Partnership is presenting the following event day initiatives:

• High Profile Job Shadowing -- select students spend a 'day in the life' of someone in an exciting, high profile career role in various industry sectors across Canada.
• Founding Sponsor Recognition -- awarding Scotiabank for their 20 years of program support and proactive investment in Canada's future workforce.

The Learning Partnership is also excited to learn about what workplaces around the country will be doing on November 5 to host Grade 9 students in their community, as well as hear from students about what it's like to spend a 'day in the life' of someone in the world of work.

Workplaces and students are encouraged to share their workplace story on social media using the hashtag #KidsToWork.

Quick Facts:

• Take Our Kids to Work™ Day falls on the first Wednesday in November every year.
• November 5, 2014 marks a special 20^th anniversary milestone for Take Our Kids to Work™.
• Take Our Kids to Work™ was founded by The Learning Partnership in 1994 as a Greater Toronto Area of Ontario initiative.
• Today, more than 250,000 students, 18,000 teachers and 75,000 organizations participate each year, spanning every province and territory in Canada.
• Take Our Kids to Work™ day experiences will be shared using the hashtag #KidsToWork

Quotes:

"We are proud of the growth and evolution of our Take Our Kids to Work™ program over the past 20 years. Since the beginning, Scotiabank's support has been instrumental in engaging millions of students in experiential learning opportunities in workplaces across Canada -- and it is making a difference. The Take Our Kids to Work generation is thinking about career options earlier in their school journey and businesses across Canada are keen and eager to help." 
-- Akela Peoples
President and CEO, The Learning Partnership

"Scotiabank relies on highly skilled and educated talent and that's why we have been a proud sponsor of Take Our Kids to Work Day for the last 20 years. The program offers students a rare opportunity to experience the working world and a chance to see how their skills can be applied in a future career. We are excited to welcome this year's group of bright young students!"
-- Islay McGlynn
Senior Vice President, Employee Experience, Scotiabank

Share:

• Nov. 5 marks the 20th anniversary of @TLPCanada's Take Our #KidsToWork program! Find out more: http://bit.ly/ZC0dh3
• It's @TLPCanada's Take Our #KidsToWork day on Nov. 5! Over 250,000 students, 18,000 teachers & 75,000 organizations are participating.
• Are you participating in @TLPCanada's Take Our #KidsToWork day? Share your experience!

Tags:

career education, career planning, experiential learning, workplace visit

About The Learning Partnership

The Learning Partnership is a national charity dedicated to building stakeholder partnerships to support, promote and advance publicly funded education in Canada. We do this through five key deliverables -- innovative student programs, executive leadership for educators, knowledge mobilization and policy, tribute celebrations of excellence and ongoing collaborations across Canada. Since 1993, more than 5.7 million students have participated in The Learning Partnership's programs. For more information on The Learning Partnership, visit www.thelearningpartnership.ca.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is a leading financial services provider in over 55 countries and Canada's most international bank. Through Bright Future, our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level across six pillars: health, education, social services, arts and culture, environment and sports. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has contributed on average some $50 million annually over the last five years to community causes around the world. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.