Read about how the recent merger of Assiniboine, Astra and Vantis credit unions provided a career opportunity for Iona Gruskin.

ACU’s policy is to provide a workplace that honours the following principles:

• We will be a fair employer
• We will provide for a safe and healthy workplace
• We are committed to employment equity and diversity
• Employees will be treated with integrity and respect
• We support employees by providing opportunities for career development
• We support employees in balancing their commitments to ACU, families and the community
• We will provide an environment of equal opportunity and non-discrimination as set out in the Manitoba Human Rights Code
• We will comply with relevant laws and regulations at all times

For Iona Gruskin, the recent merger of Assiniboine, Astra, and Vantis credit unions provided a career opportunity.

When Assiniboine, Vantis and Astra announced their merger, staff was understandably concerned about job security.

So there was a collective sigh of relief when all three legacy credit unions immediately agreed that there would be no layoffs. In fact, for many employees — like Iona Gruskin — the merge brought new professional opportunities.

Prior to the merger, Iona worked at Vantis as a Mortgage Administrator. It was a job not completely in keeping with her educational background which includes a bachelor degree in law and postgraduate studies in business. Nor was it similar to her previous position as a commercial manager in charge of several projects back in Argentina, her homeland.

Iona truly enjoyed her job at Vantis and recognized that it was a great opportunity to learn about the Canadian financial system. But deep down, she had her sights set on becoming a Project Manager Professional. She shared her aspirations with her fellow staff members and, even though Vantis did not have a related department, they were very supportive. Then she heard about the merger. “I realized immediately that it could be my opportunity for new possibilities,” she says. “And I was right! Assiniboine already had a Project Management Office and new positions in the area would be coming up because of the merger. My goal was within reach – I just needed to prepare myself.”

With a lot of hard work and support from her colleagues at the new Assiniboine, Iona achieved her Project Manager Professional designation. By March 2007, she was happy to learn that she was being promoted to the job she always wanted as a Project Manager at the new ACU.