A shared dedication towards a sustainable future inspires Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and their co-op student hires
By: Jed Bick (he/him)
The organization is utilizing the knowledge and expertise of Waterloo co-op students to meet its bold targets for a sustainable global future.
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) administers defined benefit pensions and portfolio investments for teachers in Ontario. The organization is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its portfolio by making sustainable investments that support the transition to a low-carbon future.
Ringo Ng, principal on the sustainable investing team at OTPP
Ringo Ng (he/him) is a graduate of Waterloo’s Environmental Engineering program and a principal on the sustainable investing team at OTPP. He endeavours to contribute to environmental conservation as part of his role and appreciates that prioritizing sustainability is one of the organization’s core beliefs.
“Climate risk and opportunities are evolving, and we all know climate change is happening," says Ng. “It’s a global theme that pension providers need to monitor closely. As a pension, we look at decade-long horizons.”
Ayman Mahin Gostar (he/him), an Environment and Business student, spent two co-op work terms at OTPP in a sustainable investing and corporate governance role. The organization’s sustainability goals aligned with both his studies and passion for a more sustainable future.
During his work terms, Mahin Gostar’s tasks included conducting due diligence for new projects and actively monitoring the environmental, social and governance (ESG) risk of capital markets and other asset classes.
He also looked at existing assets within the plan to decarbonize within a specific target.
From his work term experience, Mahin Gostar further developed his understanding of the need for businesses to prioritize sustainability as part of their long-term vision.
“The business case for sustainability is becoming more visible,” says Mahin Gostar.
“We are seeing climate change is becoming an actual risk. For a company to flourish within the next 10 to 20 years, you cannot be blind to the physical risks. You are making decisions to protect your interests based on the new risks that are coming.”
Ayman Mahin Gostar, Environment and Business student
OTPP is striving towards a sustainable future with the goal of net zero emissions by 2050. The company has two interim sustainability targets to help achieve that goal. The first is a 45% emissions intensity reduction by 2025 and a 67% reduction by 2030. The second target is the Paris Aligned Reduction Target (PART) program.
Waterloo co-op students' work contributes to these targets and offers valuable insights at OTPP.
OTPP has set bold and impactful sustainability goals that might inspire other companies on their sustainability journey. Waterloo co-op students value the opportunity to share their knowledge and passion for a sustainable future through their meaningful contributions to the company's vision.
An opportunity for change and growth
OTPP is planning for a sustainable future by hiring and retaining future-ready talent like Mahin Gostar to help lead them forward. Co-op students appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the organization’s sustainability plan. As part of Generation Z, co-op students value meaningful opportunities that can shape the future for the better.
“This generation really cares about the environment and the future,” says Ng. “The decisions that we make and the actions that we take have a very pivotal impact on the decades to come.”
OTPP also provides students with career growth and progression through its Career FUNDamentals Program. Knowing that Generation Z workers value professional development opportunities from employers, OTPP formed developmental workshops based on the needs and feedback of students.
One of the workshops focuses on developing students’ soft skills so they can be more comfortable networking with colleagues and managers. The team at OTPP encourages students to ask questions and seek information to help them with their work. As a result, OTPP finds that students produce higher-quality results in their roles.
“Something I learned during my time at OTPP is that being proactive and taking initiative is always a great thing,” says Mahin Gostar. “Always be the person to ask questions, if you have an idea and want to take the initiative, don't be afraid to reach out. Everyone is on the same team.”
Waterloo co-op programs set students up to thrive
Minami Alguire, manager of the Campus Talent Acquisition Team at OTPP
Waterloo co-op students continue to be successful components of the team at OTPP. Minami Alguire (she/her), who manages the Campus Talent Acquisition Team at OTPP, is looking forward to hiring students from the recently launched Sustainability and Financial Management program at Waterloo.
“This program is bringing in fresh new graduates who specialize in this space, and I'm particularly excited for the first cohort to graduate this year," says Alguire. “When I think about meeting that longer-term supply need, in terms of professionals who are in the sustainability space, programs like this are going to set students up for success in launching careers here.”
Students beginning a career in the sustainability space bring relevant industry skills and knowledge from Waterloo’s co-op program and thrive in forward-thinking organizations like OTPP.
“From an employer perspective, we provide students with real-life examples of how they can contribute to society with knowledge that they've learned at school,” says Ng. “Waterloo equips these individuals with the intellectual knowledge that we require for them to contribute to our workplace.”
OTPP is the 2023 recipient of the Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) Employer Impact Award for Impact in Sustainability.
The company received the award in recognition of its long-term sustainability goals and its integration of Waterloo co-op students into its planning.
“Waterloo co-op students possess great communication skills, they're very adaptive and flexible, and they come in with a purpose,” says Ng. “It makes them very good in contributing and just really get off the ground very quickly.”
The immediate impact of Waterloo students at OTPP helps the company set a path toward its ambitious and purposeful sustainability vision.
We are very honoured to win this award. But I think the credit goes to the students and to Waterloo for arming them with the right tools and resources to be able to be very effective in the workplace environment.