BACKGROUND
The Women’s Mentorship Program (WMP) is a unique professional development opportunity for women Managers employed in the financial co-operatives sector. The Women’s Mentorship Program has been delivered by the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) since 2002. CCA has a notable success rate in developing 217 women credit union managers from 19 countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas.
ELIGIBILITY
The Program is aimed at women Managers of financial co-operatives who have limited opportunities for professional development, education or advancement. CCA is looking for Managers actively working in the day-to-day operations in the savings and credit co-operative or credit union sector.
WHY WOMEN ?
The goal of the WMP is to enhance the participant’s management skills and knowledge who work in a financial institution setting as well as significantly increase confidence and resolve to become equal contributors in the workforce. Results demonstrate that the Program has contributed towards the over 80% of the Program participants are still working in the credit union system in their country.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Canada’s co-op and credit union movement is considered world-class in its service quality and financial performance. Canada’s credit union managers look forward to sharing their experiences with their overseas counterparts, and to learning about credit union operations in other countries.
WHEN: September 9th to October 6th, 2017
WHERE: Canadian Co-operative Association, 275 Bank Street, Suite 400, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (airport YOW)
Successful applicants will participate in 2 ½ weeks of classroom training in Ottawa. Classroom topics Include:
- Loan assessment
- Delinquency control
- Human resources
- Marketing
- Governance
- Risk Management
Each participant will be matched with a Canadian Credit Union for 1 ½ weeks and mentored by a General Manager or Branch Manager. WMP participants will have an opportunity to learn about:
- The structure and history of the credit union movement in Canada,
- Contemporary approaches to the management of financial institutions in Canada,
- Gender dimensions of credit union management in Canada, and
- SACCO/Credit Unions Manager experiences in Asia and Africa.
TIMELINE
September 9- September 10 Participants arrive in Ottawa (airport code YOW)
September 11- September 20 Ottawa classroom training
September 21 Travel day to Canadian credit union placement
September 22-29 Individual credit union placement somewhere in Canada
September 30 Travel day back to Ottawa
October 1 Free day in Ottawa (church, shopping, etc.)
October 2- October 5 Ottawa classroom training continues (change management, debriefing, etc.)
October 6- October 7 Participants depart for home
COST
CCA staff, facilitators and leaders of Canadian credit unions volunteer their time. In addition, some Credit Unions contribute training materials, local transportation and accommodation. There is no cost to participants who are selected for the program.
CCA will cover the following costs:
- Travel from your community to your country capital (i.e. via local bus – keep receipts) to obtain visas, briefing
- Return economy flight to and from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada – printed copy of boarding pass must be submitted to CCA,
- Flights within Canada – to placement
- Canadian visa accommodation **,
- Accommodation while in Canada (double occupancy while in Ottawa),
- Meal allowance
**NOTE: Canadian visas can be challenging to obtain. There are many documents to provide to the Canadian Embassy such as a letter of support from credit union management/board; personal financial statements, etc. Several past alumnae of the program have been denied visas and had to reapply. It is not a reflection of the individual that visas are denied (there can be several reasons). To be accepted in to this program, participants must submit proof of having a Canadian visa no later than August 29, 2017
APPLICATION PROCESS
Women managers of established financial co-operatives are encouraged to complete the attached application form and send along with the additional required documents, via e-mail to mentoring@coopscanada.coop by June 26, 2017. The Selection Committee will inform successful applicants by early July 2017. We wish to thank all applicants in advance for applying; only candidates selected for the program will be contacted.
NOTE: The average temperature in Ottawa in September ranges between 10-20 degrees Celsius – a comfortable climate, however CCA will provide warm sweaters, hats, gloves and scarves.
To learn more about the program, please visit our website or check out the video from the 2014 program here.
You can download the Application Form and other Required Form from the following links: