Innovation, Business and Rural Development
December 19, 2012
Enterprise Olympics Partnership Continues
The Provincial Government is continuing its partnership with the YMCA of Northeast Avalon with a $20,000 investment in the Enterprise Olympics program.
“The Enterprise Olympics program encourages students at the elementary, junior high and high school level to consider careers in entrepreneurship” said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education. “Small businesses are driving the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador. Programs like the Enterprise Olympics support innovative thinking among our students, and help foster their ability to become successful entrepreneurs.”
Through a variety of initiatives, including the Office of Youth Engagement, the Getting the Message Out Program, and Young Entrepreneurs and Innovators Program, the Provincial Government has recognized youth engagement as a key component of Newfoundland and Labrador’s social and economic development.
“This is an exciting and creative platform to engage youth,” said the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development and Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement. “The prospects for the province’s youth are bright. This competition’s multi-faceted approach is very interactive, with networking, sharing of best practices, and mobilizing ideas by connecting students with local resources. Our government has been very impressed to see some of the innovative projects coming forward, especially in strategic sectors and social enterprise.”
The Enterprise Olympics program comprises three separate and innovative projects: Create A Logo for students in Grades 4 to 6; Community Matters, which supports Social Studies, Language Arts and Career Exploration curriculum for students in Grades 7-9, and the Venture Marketing Plan and Showcase Competitions for high school students enrolled in the Entrepreneurship 3209 course.
District level winners for the high school competitions earn the right to attend the Provincial Enterprise Olympics, which will take place at Terra Nova Park Lodge in Port Blandford on May 24, 2013.
“We have been committed to the Enterprise Olympics for the past 19 years, and are pleased this year to introduce a new program at the junior high level, Community Matters, formerly Market Your Thoughts,” said Melanie Maher, Enterprise Olympics Project Co-ordinator for the YMCA of Northeast Avalon. “As part of Community Matters, students identify a social issue within their community or province and create a business idea that addresses the issue. It is our hope that by participating in the program, students will exercise and develop their entrepreneurial skills while realizing the importance of actively participating in business and community matters.”
For more information on the Enterprise Olympics, visit ynortheastavalon.com/employ.php 
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Media contacts:
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Heather May Director of Communications Department of Education 709-729-0048, 697-5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca |
Diana Quinton Director of Communications Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 631-8155 dianaquinton@gov.nl.ca |
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Melanie Maher Enterprise Olympics Project Co-ordinator YMCA of Northeast Avalon 709-757-2665, ext. 229 mmaher@ynortheastavalon.com |
2012 12 19 10:45 a.m.