Toronto, Ontario -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/08/2010 -- On August 25th, KPMG launched its "What Makes a Top Employer" national student video contest, asking Canadian students enrolled in full- or part-time college or university programs to share their thoughts on what makes a Top Employer by uploading 1-4 minute videos to the contest's website, which can be found at http://www.whatmakesatopemployer.ca. Since the contest has launched, over 200 students have uploaded their responses to the site.

Two sets of prizes will be awarded to students in appreciation for their time and effort.

The first prize wins an Apple iPad and five individual one-on-one mentoring sessions with the following CEOs:

1. Bill Thomas, CEO of KPMG Canada, as the sponsoring company
2. Nadir Mohamed, President & CEO of Rogers Communications
3. Cameron Heaps, Co-Founder of Steam Whistle Brewing Company
4. Bruce Poon Tip, Founder (AKA "The Captain") of Gap Adventures
5. Colin Moore, President of Starbucks Coffee Americas

The first prize will go to the student with the best video response—the most insightful, thoughtful, and useful video. The winner will be chosen from a short list of individuals who will be judged by the five CEOs. The second prize winner—the student whose video wins by popular vote—will also receive an Apple iPad.

The prizes will be formally presented to both of the winning students at the Top Employer Summit this November. At the close of the contest, a video of the best submissions will be edited together, culminating in a final video that will also be presented at the Top Employer Summit. The closing date for final submissions is October 18th.

"As the sponsor of the Top Employer for Young People award, KPMG is proud to play a supporting role in the 'What Makes a Top Employer' national student video contest," said Bill Thomas, CEO of KPMG. "This contest is a fun and insightful way for award-winning companies to learn from talented future employees about what they look for in a Top Employer, as well as to afford students a great opportunity to showcase their creativity. This sponsorship demonstrates KPMG's commitment to improving the workplace in Canada for the next generation."

This creative initiative, supported by KPMG, reflects the ever-increasing importance of placing a focus on young people as tomorrow's business leaders and facilitating workplace environments where they not only want to be, but where they will thrive. Be sure to check out the "What Makes a Top Employer" call-to-action video at http://www.whatmakesatopemployer.ca to see what it's all about!

"The contest is an innovative way to meaningfully connect exceptional Canadian youth with the winning companies of the 2010 Canada's Top Employers for Young People (TEFYP) award, which the firm sponsored earlier this year," said Mario Paron, Chief Human Resources Officer, KPMG.

KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm (http://kpmg.ca), a Canadian limited liability partnership established under the laws of Ontario, is the Canadian member firm of KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"). KPMG International's member firms have 140,000 professionals, including more than 7,900 partners, in 146 countries.

The independent member firms of the KPMG network are affiliated with KPMG International, a Swiss entity. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity, and describes itself as such.