Toronto-based Women in Capital Markets (WCM), a non-profit organization that promotes equality in the finance industry, has relaunched the Return to Bay Street (RTBS) program.

RTBS supports professional women in finance as they return to work following an absence. The program is now accepting applications for 2021, WCM said in a release on Thursday.

By facilitating the program, WCM and its partners are “proactively accelerating women’s representation in the capital markets industry,” the release said.

RTBS recruits mid- to senior-level professionals with a minimum of five years’ experience in capital markets or a related industry such as wealth management, and who have been absent from the industry for at least one-and-a-half years. (Refer to the website for full eligibility criteria.)

Successful applicants receive a paid work contract at an RTBS partner institution, an education grant, a mentorship and a one-year WCM membership.

Partner institutions are BMO Capital Markets, CIBC, Mackenzie Investments, Manulife, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, RBC Capital Markets, Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets and TD Securities.

To help prepare candidates ahead of applying, WCM is offering a conference about the program on March 11, 2021. Human resources representatives and business leaders in the industry will take part.

WCM and founding sponsor BMO Capital Markets started RTBS in 2010, and the program has so far relaunched the careers of 73 women.

Among the ranks is Mary Ann Mendes, managing director and head of client management with BMO Capital Markets and co-chair of the RTBS working group.

“Personally, as a WCM RTBS recipient in 2012, I can attest to the program’s effectiveness and appreciate the continued commitment from WCM and all sponsors,” Mendes said in the release.

The program has “proven to be an incredibly successful initiative for high-calibre professional women keen to relaunch their careers on Bay Street, continuing their career development and advancement to progressively senior positions, while broadening equity, diversity and inclusion in the industry,” she said.

Applications close on March 29, 2021.