Over the coming three years, Toronto-based Genworth Canada will pledge a total of $100,000 to Ontario’s University of Waterloo School of Accounting and Finance to further a next-generation financial literacy and leadership program.

Focused on a pre-college level population, the University of Waterloo Financial Literacy Competition (FLC) engages secondary school students. Genworth’s funding will enable the FLC to broaden its scope throughout Canada, both educating young adults about financial responsibility and rewarding and acknowledging outstanding performance among enrollees.

"Genworth is committed to promoting financial literacy amongst young Canadians,” President and CEO Stuart Levings said. “As a company that supports the health of the housing market, education is key to responsible homeownership. We need to ensure our younger generation is equipped with the knowledge to help them become financially stable into adulthood. The Financial Literacy Competition is a great catalyst to spread the information in an interesting and interactive way,"

The University of Waterloo’s SAF has provided technical, analytical and communication skills to students headed for careers in public accounting, finance, industry, government and not-for-profit entities for 30 years.

"Basic financial skills are a critical building block in every person's education. Integrating financial skills development throughout the curriculum ensures that students will have the knowledge to make effective decisions throughout their lives," SAF Interim Director James Barnett said.