George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
Major investment will support a new cohort of internationally trained professionals at George Brown this fall
Thanks to a generous $500,000 gift from Scotiabank through its ScotiaRISE community investment initiative, George Brown Polytechnic will expand its ReNEW program to support internationally trained professionals as they navigate the Canadian labour market and pursue meaningful careers.
This significant investment will also fund scholarships for women and girls whose educational and professional journeys have been disrupted by conflict, displacement, and barriers to education.
Addressing a national workforce challenge
ReNEW is a workforce readiness program designed to strengthen the skills, confidence, and professional networks of internationally trained professionals transitioning into the Canadian labour market.
The program responds to a broader national challenge: while Canada continues to face critical skills shortages, many internationally trained professionals remain underemployed or unable to fully utilize their expertise.
Through applied career education, mentorship, networking, and workforce readiness training, participants are supported in translating their global experience into meaningful Canadian employment outcomes.
“Internationally trained professionals bring tremendous talent, experience, and potential to Canada’s workforce,” said Dr. Hassun Malik, George Brown Polytechnic’s Provost & Vice President, Academic. “This generous investment from Scotiabank will help create opportunities for ReNEW participants to strengthen their skills, expand their professional networks, and pursue meaningful employment pathways. We are deeply grateful for Scotiabank’s continued leadership and commitment to advancing economic inclusion.”
Alison Burns, Manager of Partnership Engagement & Business Development with George Brown’s Community Partnerships team, shared the impact the program has had on learners who have already transitioned to the Canadian workforce after participating in the program.
“ReNEW is more than a program. It is a bridge, from experience to opportunity, from uncertainty to direction, and from potential to meaningful contribution. ReNEW connects the world’s dynamic talent with Canada’s labour market, for the benefit of internationally trained professionals, their families, employers, and the Canadian economy as a whole.”
Holistic career readiness supports
Participants benefit from a comprehensive suite of supports, including:
- Structured career readiness training
- Professional mentorship
- Financial literacy education
- Networking opportunities
- Individualized guidance
Together, these supports help participants navigate the Canadian workplace with confidence and clarity.
Expanding pathways to economic inclusion
This investment will help ensure more internationally trained professionals can access the tools, training, and connections needed to fully participate in Canada’s workforce and advance their careers.
"Canada's workforce is stronger when everyone has the opportunity to participate,” said Chris Sandilands, District Vice President, Scotiabank. “Through ScotiaRISE, Scotiabank’s community investment initiative, we invest in programs that help people overcome barriers and participate more fully in the economy, and we're thrilled to partner with George Brown Polytechnic's ReNEW program to do just that. By expanding pathways to economic mobility and workforce success, we're helping professionals build strong futures while contributing to the strength and resilience of communities across Canada."
Allan Penning, Chief Development Officer, George Brown College Foundation, added, “Scotiabank’s investment in ReNEW is a powerful statement about what’s possible when educational institutions and the private sector come together around a shared commitment to economic inclusion. This funding will open doors for internationally trained professionals who have so much to contribute — and who deserve a real opportunity to do so. We are truly grateful for Scotiabank’s generosity and vision.”
Through partnerships with organizations such as Scotiabank, George Brown continues to expand pathways that support economic mobility and workforce success—helping learners build stronger futures and contributing to the resilience of communities across Canada.
