The Columbia Basin Trust and JA British Columbia are offering local youth opportunities to take part in after-school programming that provides hands-on business-development experience.
“These programs enable youth to explore entrepreneurship and the business world and consider if they might wish to pursue it as a career path,” said Angie Elsmore, manager of special initiatives for the Trust. “They get to challenge themselves, have fun, develop leadership skills, work as a team and build self-esteem, helping prepare them to contribute to their communities.”
The initiative targets youth aged 14 to 18 and offers two programs. In Be Entrepreneurial, participants develop a business idea and pitch it to judges. In the Company Program, youth work as a team to build and operate a small business.
“At JA British Columbia, we believe in helping young people develop the skills and mindset to build thriving communities,” said Glenn Dodge, vice-president of programs. “As demonstrated by our recent successful summer camp held in Trail, these programs are not only inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs but also encouraging young people to consider how they can contribute to their communities in the future.”
A free, five-day summer entrepreneurship and innovation camp helped launch the new programming this summer. Co-hosted by the Trail Youth Action Network, youth worked with mentors to build business ideas, develop leadership and teamwork skills, and pitch their ideas for prizes.
“With the objective of creating a business within a small timeframe with new peers, the JABC Summer Entrepreneurship experience strengthened skills such as leadership,” said participant Malina Zmavc. “The experience further strengthened my communication skills through presentations and discussion periods. I am very grateful that Columbia Basin Trust partnered with JA British Columbia to bring this program to the Kootenays.”
Youth across the Basin can participate through virtual programming delivered via Zoom beginning and in-person programming in Cranbrook later this fall. To learn more and register, visit ourtrust.org/jabc-workshops.
The Trust also supports programming and activities for youth through the Basin Youth Network, which supports 27 community youth networks throughout the region.
