Thompson Rivers University (TRU) is doubling the capacity of the Raymond James Wealth and Markets Lab at the Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics, giving more students hands-on experience with the same financial technology used across the industry.

The expansion grows the lab from five to 10 workstations, adds industry-standard research and trading tools, and extends mentorship for students pursuing careers in wealth management and capital markets. It is supported by a renewed five-year investment from Raymond James Ltd., alongside software contributions from both FactSet and Conquest.

TRU created the lab and brought industry partners to the table to make sure graduates leave with practical, job-ready skills.

“Raymond James’ renewed investment shows strong confidence in our students and in the value of learning through experience,” said Dr. Airini, TRU’s president and vice-chancellor. “When TRU students have opportunities to apply their learning in real-world settings, they build skills and confidence that carry directly into their careers. This continued partnership creates more of those opportunities, helping prepare career-ready TRU graduates and demonstrating what is possible when universities and industry invest together in the next generation.”

The lab has a strong record of turning students into hires. Since 2019, 89 per cent of members of the TRU Student Investment Fund (TRUSIF) have secured jobs in the financial services industry. The fund is open to students from across faculties and gives them experience managing a live investment portfolio.

“Five years ago, we invested in Thompson Rivers University because we believed it was building something different,” said Scott Hudson, Executive Vice President, Head of Wealth Management, Private Client Group, Raymond James Ltd. “Today, 47 of the 53 students who have come through this program have gone on to secure roles in the industry. Financial services in Canada needs skilled people, and it needs them ready. TRU is closing that gap, and we’re glad to be one of the partners helping them do it.”

The expansion was made possible in part through a personal donation from Raymond James Portfolio Manager Paul Siluch and his wife, Sue. Siluch has been a supporter of TRU since the early 1990s, when the institution was still Cariboo College, and helped bring financial planning software and curriculum alignment to the lab.

Among those involved in the early days of TRUSIF are co-founders Adam Burke (BBA ’21) and Jacob Lawrence (BBA ’22, JD ’25), who championed the vision for a trading lab on campus.

“The lab gives students a real opportunity to manage money and feel the weight of responsibility that comes with that,” said Lawrence, now a business and land development lawyer at Fulton in Kamloops.

“By the time I was interviewing, I had skills that employers value: experience analyzing investments, making decisions with real consequences, and leading a team. Just as importantly, being part of TRUSIF connected me with an expansive network of professionals and alumni who continue to open doors for me and help me navigate my career.”

Thompson Rivers University is leading in sustainability. Learn more about TRU’s contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.