This year, Scotiabank reached a milestone with TRIEC Mentoring Partnership with unprecedented speed. In just two and a half years, Scotiabank employees mentored more than 500 skilled immigrants, bringing the total number of mentoring matches at the bank to 1000.
“Partnering with TRIEC Mentoring Partnership is a win-win for us,” says Rania Llewellyn, Senior Vice President of Cash Management and Payment Services, Global Transaction Banking, at Scotiabank. “Having been a mentor myself, I have seen first-hand the value of the program. On top of the personal satisfaction derived from making a difference in someone’s life, it is a huge professional development opportunity.”
As mentors, Scotiabank employees develop their leadership and coaching skills, gain insight into occupations and industry practices in other parts of the world, developing a more global mindset. In fact, over 600 Scotiabank employees have volunteered as mentors since 2005. A significant number have returned to mentor more than once, highlighting the benefit they see in the program.
The value for Scotiabank extends beyond the professional development of their employees.
“Investing in the communities where we work and live has been a focus of ours for the last 180 years,” says Rania. “Helping newcomers in the Toronto region connect with their careers here in Canada is just a really great way for our employees to give back. As Canada’s international bank, we believe that inclusion makes us stronger. Learning from and embracing the perspectives of those that are different gives the bank an innovative edge, making it a great place to work and a great place for our customers to do business.”
TRIEC Mentoring Partnership is just one initiative that contributes to a culture of inclusion at Scotiabank.