Human Resources: Students given “A” by Corporate Canada

Toronto, ON - October 13, 2009 – The Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) today announces the fourth annual BBPA Leaders of Tomorrow Business and Technology Conference. The conference brings together over 200 high school students from Toronto’s priority neighbourhoods to meet with senior executives from corporate Canada. This one-day conference takes place today, Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the BMO Financial Group Institute for Learning, in Scarborough, ON.

The BBPA Leaders of Tomorrow Business and Technology Conference aims to assist secondary school students in bridging the gap between university and college programs and real life careers in the business and technology sectors.

“The reality is that in life, often you are limited by what you do not know,” said Julius Nyarko, Chair, BBPA Leaders of Tomorrow Conference. “This conference provides a unique opportunity for youth who may have been denied opportunities because of their current life situations to experience positive alternatives and aspire to new choices.”

Studies have shown that youth from low-income households are half as likely to attend university as those from higher income households, and that black students face a 50% drop-out rate before grade 12. The Leaders of Tomorrow Conference is a chance to expose less advantaged students to education and career opportunities in the business and technology sectors. This one-day event is a step in the right direction in changing the reality of these dismal statistics.

“Our community is full of young people with skills that are untapped; with talents that would be overlooked without tools to guide and empower them to become better leaders,” said Harriet Thornhill, Chair, Black Business and Professional Association National Scholarship Fund. “The BBPA Leaders of Tomorrow Conference will help the youth of today realize the possibilities of a new and successful future.”

With nearly 1 million untrained youth entering the Canadian labour market each year, this conference is an important investment in Canada’s leaders of tomorrow. The sponsors for this event, including BMO Financial Group, have realized that innovation is important in discovering and building up the business talent of the future.

This one of a kind event will showcase the diverse career choices in the business and technology sectors, the students participate in business-related workshops as well as gain access and exposure to career advice and insight from workshop facilitators, all of whom hold senior positions in successful companies. A significant component of the day’s events is the post secondary education and career fair, where major corporations, as well as top ranking universities and colleges will be represented.

About the BBPA Leaders of Tomorrow Conference
The BBPA Leaders of Tomorrow Conference is an annual event hosted by the Black Business Professional Association (BBPA) National Scholarship Fund that aims to assist secondary school students in bridging the gap between university and college programs and real life careers in the business and technology sectors.

When: Tuesday October 13, 2009
Time: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Where: BMO Institute for Learning, 3550 Pharmacy Avenue (Pharmacy/Steeles), Scarborough, ON

Members of the media are invited to attend the Leaders of Tomorrow Business and Technology Conference. Visual and interview opportunities are available with student participants; Julius Nyarko, BBPA Leaders of Tomorrow Conference Committee Chair; Harriet Thornhill, Chair, BBPA National Scholarship Fund; and Stanley Julien, Vice President, BMO Bank Financial group. RSVP required.

About the Black Business and Professional Association
Founded in 1983, the BBPA is a charitable organization, whose mission is “to advance Canada’s Black community by facilitating the delivery of programs that support business and professional excellence, higher education and economic development”. The BBPA sponsors the Annual BBPA Harry Jerome Awards and the BBPA National scholarships. For more information please visit us online at www.bbpa.org <http://www.bbpa.org> , call 416-504-4097 or e-mail bbpa[at]bellnet.ca <#bbpa[at]bellnet.ca> .