Education
March 7, 2012
Enterprising Youth Compete for Olympic Excellence
London, England will not be the only Olympic host in 2012 as approximately 50 youth will compete for Olympic excellence in Corner Brook. These Olympics, however, will not include javelin or the high jump, but rather marketing competitions, which will be held during the 18th Annual Enterprise Olympics Conference, organized by the YMCA-YWCA of Northeast Avalon.
This event is open to high school students province-wide. Interested
youth can earn a spot in the provincial competition, which takes place May
3-6 at the Greenwood Inn, by submitting a venture marketing plan as part of
their study in the new economic education course Entrepreneurship 3209.
“This is a great opportunity for innovative and entrepreneurial youth,” said the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development. “Our support of this event provides youth with the environment where they engage with other like-minded individuals, and further develop their skills and entrepreneurial spirit. By introducing youth to such opportunities they are better prepared for their careers as entrepreneurs. Investments of this nature are investments in the future of our youth and the future of our province.”
Supported by a $20,000 contribution from the Provincial Government, the Annual Enterprise Olympics program will additionally include a number of other events including the Create a Logo Competition for students in Grades 4-6 and the Market Your Thoughts Competition for students in Grades 7-9, which take place at other times throughout the year.
“The Enterprise Olympics is an important component of the high school economic education curriculum, and reaches more than 1,100 students throughout the province,” said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education. “It is important that we support community-based partnerships which encourage the development of a culture of entrepreneurial thinking – among both students and teachers – given that private businesses make significant contributions to the provincial economy.”
The Enterprise Olympic program, delivered by the YMCA-YWCA of Northeast Avalon, encourages entrepreneurial and creative thinking among students and teachers and inspires youth to consider careers in entrepreneurship.
“The YMCA-YWCA of Northeast Avalon has been committed to Enterprise Olympics for 18 years,” said Melanie Maher, Enterprise Olympics Project Co-ordinator. “This is a program that identifies and supports the creativity, talent and initiative of young people. We hope it will influence their future decisions to start their own businesses and be a part of the growth of Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy.”
Of the Provincial Government’s investment, $10,000 is coming from the Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development’s Young Entrepreneurs and Innovators Program, which is a program designed to support youth and their contribution to the province’s business community. An additional $10,000 is provided through the Department of Education.
For further information about the Young Entrepreneurs and Innovators Program, please visit www.gov.nl.ca/ibrd.
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Media contacts:
| Scott Barfoot Director of Communications Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 690-6290 scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca |
Heather May Director of Communications Department of Education 709-729-0048, 697-5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca |
| Melanie Maher Enterprise Olympics Project Co-ordinator YMCA-YWCA of Northeast Avalon 709-757-2665, ext. 229 mmaher@ynortheastavalon.com |
2012 03 07 2:45 p.m.