CPA Martin Mentorship Program
Research shows that youth with mentors were more likely to be successful in school, more likely to be leaders in their communities, and more likely to enter into young adulthood with opportunities for ongoing education and career choices.
That is why MFI partnered with CPA Canada so that professionals from the accounting profession across the country have the opportunity to act as professional mentors to Indigenous youth and encourage academic success.
The mentorship teams are drawn mostly from national firms such as BDO Canada, Deloitte, EY, Grant Thornton, KPMG, MNP and PwC, as well as the federal government and the academic arena. Mentors from across the country build supportive relationships with students and participate with them in activities to further success, such as:
- Providing advice or assistance on topics such as strategies for time management, preparing a resume, and understanding the nature of different careers
- Experiencing workplace environments through office tours or participating in firm-sponsored community activities
- Job shadowing, co-operative education placements and internships.
CPA Martin Mentorship Program seeks to provide Indigenous youth with:
- The support and guidance of a successful professional who is committed to their development
- Experiences that help build greater self-esteem and motivation to succeed
- Improved knowledge of job-related skills (e.g. teamwork and communication)
- An enhanced appreciation of education and career opportunities open to them and how they can succeed
The 2019-2020 school year began with Indigenous students in 23 high schools in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec, and an additional six programs planned. School closures across the country have resulted in the program being on hiatus, with schools and mentorship teams looking forward to continuing the program as soon as that is possible.
Accreditation
The CPA Martin Mentorship Program with the CPA facilitates ongoing and long-term mentoring of Indigenous youth beginning in Grade 9 and 10 as they complete high school, attend university, and become professionals.