Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador
Announce Support for Enterprising Youth

Young people in this province looking to start their own businesses this summer will receive some extra help and mentoring thanks to support from the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador. The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue and Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and Dan Crummell, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, today announced support for the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Community Business Development Corporation’s (CBDC) Youth Ventures Program.

“Our government is pleased to support CBDCs in their efforts to deliver the Youth Ventures Program throughout Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Minister Shea. “This hands-on initiative is an excellent way to help young entrepreneurs gain tangible experience developing their own businesses, while learning new skills that will help them succeed in the future.”

Youth Ventures is a program for students aged 12 to 29 who are interested in starting a business. The program helps participants to come up with a business idea, create a business plan and do market research. The program also provides advice on financing. Youth Ventures works with close to 300 students and helps in the start-up of almost 200 businesses each year. Since its establishment as a provincial program in 1997, Youth Ventures has helped over 4300 young people explore entrepreneurship.

“The Youth Ventures Program is a great way for students to establish positive lifelong work habits and acquire skills to understand the value of earning a living through running their own business,” said the Honourable Joan Shea, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills. “At a time of unprecedented development and educational opportunity, our government is ensuring students and youth are helping to build on the growth already occurring in our province. We are focused on creating opportunities, providing skills training, delivering affordable and accessible education, and building a prosperous future for our young people.”

The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of CBDCs is a network of autonomous, non-profit corporations that work in co-operation with all levels of government and the private sector to meet the needs of small businesses throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. CBDCs are dedicated to the development of small business and to job creation in rural regions and represent their interests in the areas of professional development, marketing, training, advocacy, partnerships and communications.

“CBDCs coach youth to see the value in entrepreneurship as a viable career option. But we see it as more than a career path. Thinking entrepreneurially is a skill set that everyone can benefit from, no matter what trade, designation or direction they choose. Running a small business as a youth provides life lessons, not learned in a classroom or working for someone else,” said Stan Reid, Chairperson of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of CBDCs.

The Government of Canada’s investment of $314,482 in this project is provided through ACOA’s Business Development Program.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s investment of $80,000 is provided through the Department of Advanced Education and Skills’ Service Agreement for Youths.

For more information on the Youth Ventures program, visit www.youthventuresnl.com  or call 1-800-833-1829.

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2013 04 04                             2:15 p.m.