Women get funding to learn own-business protocol

Page 13

Anne McLellan, Canada's Minister of Justice and Attorney General released $168,000 in funding to Edmonton-based Communicating Power Incorporated on July 7.

The funding will assist 11 young women in developing their business plans in the Young Woman's Entrepreneurial Program. The project runs from March 31, to Dec. 31, and will prepare the students to recognize their capabilities in running a small business.

The 40-week program will help the young women prepare financial plans, do market surveys, and recognize business opportunities.

Classes run from Monday to Wednesday, with Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) sponsoring the students with a living allowance.

"We, as a government, like to provide the young people with a chance to get ahead." said McLellan. She said the problems young people face when applying for jobs is, "No experience No job, No job No experience."

This program is hoped to break that catch-22 cycle, she said.

At the small reception at the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees office, 10 former students of the program were on hand to display their ventures ranging from flower arrangingg to outdoor wear. These small business managers claim that this program has helped them to succeed.

"There is an 80 per cent success rate after this program" said Barbara Thrasher, the executive director at Communicating Power.

Thrasher added that women are leaving the corporate business market at a rate of one every 11 seconds to start their own businesses.

McLellan said the funding will help make a brighter future for Canada's young women.

"The 21st Century looks promising for woman in small businesses," she said.

Vanessa Chalifoux , 22 and Deana Carmichael, 22 are two Metis women enrolled in the program.

Chalifoux is hoping to open own retail store and create own line of clothing for both men and woman. She already has a certificate in dress making and retail fashion and is using the program to get a better understanding of the business world.

She is happy with the program and highly commended the instructors, guest lecturers and fellow students.

Carmichael wants to open own arts and crafts business in Edmonton.

She started to work on Aboriginal arts and crafts when she was a young girl and has been selling her work out of her home for the last two years.

Carmichael hopes to open her shop right after finishing the course. "Hopefully before Christmas I would like to see my business open," she said.

The funding to the Communicating Power group is made possible through the Youth Entrepreneurship Canada program at Human Resources Development Canada.