NLIS 1
September 10, 2001
(Industry, Trade and Rural Development)
 

Youth Ventures Program wraps up another successful summer

The Youth Ventures Program, which was established close to10 years ago to promote entrepreneurial awareness in the province's youth, wrapped up another successful summer, with more than 300 participants this year. 

The program provides young people with the tools to become entrepreneurs, offering services such as one-on-one business counseling, training on writing business and marketing plans and access to financing and mentorship. There are 21 delivery sites across Newfoundland and Labrador. During the summer of 2001, Youth Ventures assisted young people in communities across the province in establishing small businesses and creating their own summer employment opportunities.

"The Youth Ventures Program gives young people the chance to gain confidence in themselves and their abilities, while developing excellent entrepreneurial skills," said Gwen Mahaney, provincial coordinator of the Youth Ventures Program. "Many young people come back to the program for consecutive summers, which further enhances their skills and opens up new opportunities for them."

The businesses created in Newfoundland and Labrador over the past summer ranged from lawn care and maintenance to balloon sculpting to a dance camp for children.

"The Youth Ventures Program is a great way for us to encourage young people to pursue entrepreneurship as a viable career," said Brian Tobin, Minister of Industry Canada. "The program also helps to foster a business-oriented culture, which in turn enables us to develop a stronger economy." 

Robert Thibault, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, added: "Gaining entrepreneurial experience at an early age helps our young people to become better business people later in life. In fact, there are several examples of entrepreneurs who started with the Youth Ventures Program and went on to develop successful full-time businesses." 

For instance, Chris Dakins, a Youth Ventures Program client from 1997-1999, started with a boat rental venture and gradually expanded his business. For the past two years, Mr. Dakins has been operating the Fox Farm Campgrounds near Carbonear, offering campsite facilities, a canteen service and a swimming area. Over the past few years, this 22 year old has seasonally employed 20 people in his business.

"In our recently released Renewal Strategy for Jobs and Growth we point out the need to engage youth in shaping the future of our province. The Youth Ventures Program is part of that process and is successfully delivering tangible benefits to young people throughout rural Newfoundland and Labrador," said Beaton Tulk, Minister of Industry, Trade and Rural Development. 

On October 12, 2001, the Youth Ventures Program will hold its annual awards banquet to recognize the achievements of its outstanding entrepreneurs. This year, the event will be held at Fong's Motel and Restaurant in Carbonear. 

The program is coordinated by the Provincial Association of Business Development Centres and is supported by the Canada/Newfoundland Comprehensive Economic Development Agreement, the Canada/Newfoundland Agreement on Economic Renewal and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. 

Media contact:

Heidi Bonnell
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Industry
(613) 995-9001 

Jennifer Savoy
Press Secretary Office of the Minister of State for ACOA
(613) 941-7291

Gwen Mahaney
Provincial Coordinator
Youth Ventures Program
(709) 834-1000 Doug Burgess
Communications
ACOA
(709) 722-2935

Josephine Cheeseman
Director of Communications
Industry, Trade and Rural Development
(709) 729-4570


2001 09 10                                     11:25 a.m.