Past News > Banking on the Future
Banking on the Future
Post date: December 13, 2005
Learn$ave gives low-income Canadians a chance at a brighter
financial future
Article reproduced from FSA Magazine Catalyst:
Ideas for Change, Fall/Winter 2005 issue
Roberto Villones is 47 years old. He is a husband, a father and a skilled Civil ngineer with a formal education. His expertise in engineering has allowed him to work in six different countries over a span of 15 years. He has lived in the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Singapore, Nigeria and China. So it is difficult to understand how such an accomplished individual could possibly move to Canada and find himself with no choice but to work at a Wendy's fast food restaurant to survive.
This was Roberto's experience when he arrived in Canada in 2000. Leaving his family at home in the Philippines, Roberto planned to build a comfortable life in Canada, with the hope that one day his family would join him. "I want to give my kids a better and brighter future," he says. What Roberto did not expect was to be faced with severe barriers to employment.
After years of menial, unchallenging work, Roberto became very depressed and discouraged. He realized that in order to continue his career in engineering, he would have to receive a Canadian education and update his engineering skills. The problem was money. How could he afford to support his family and put himself through school?
One day, while scanning the newspaper for jobs, Roberto came across an advertisement for learn $ave which read "learn $ave is a research project that can provide eligible low-income adults the opportunity to turn every $1 saved into $4 for education, job training or starting a new small business". Roberto’s first thought: "Too good to be true," but after attending the information seminar hosted by Family Service Association of Toronto he discovered that the program was a nationwide research project designed to test whether financial incentives can help low-income people improve their long-term economic prospects. The only hitch was the lottery style selection process. But much to his surprise and delight, Roberto was chosen to participate.
Roberto's good fortune continued. He soon found a job at a construction company that allowed him to begin saving immediately and before long he was able to use his accumulated funds to enroll in a one-year Construction Estimate Certificate program at George Brown College. As a learn $ave participant Roberto was also required to participate in financial seminars, which he found very useful. "The seminars were the most valuable aspect of the program for me. I learned the value of a dollar and ways to save". Roberto also learned the importance of networking. He explains, "Now I see everyone I meet as a potential employer."
Now that he has completed his Construction Estimate certificate, Roberto is looking forward to the next step in his education. He knows that "employers are looking for continuing education. That is what sets you apart from the rest." He experienced the importance of a Canadian education first-hand when he was offered a job as a Construction Project Coordinator immediately after completing his certificate. This was a meaningful turning point for Roberto and it has given him the determination to build his skill set, and pursue even greater endeavours in the future.
After completing one year of work, the Ontario Association of Certified Civil Engineering Technicians and Technologists will process his certification. "My skill will be acknowledged not only within Canada but also in the USA, UK, Australia and other first world countries."
Roberto is feeling positive about his future. He dreams of continuing his career as a civil engineer and of becoming a valuable member of a reputable company – and he may even build his own. At this rate his family will be able to join him in Canada sooner than expected.
