Registration now open for youth entrepreneurship program

Columbia Basin Trust and JA British Columbia are offering after-school programs that give youth hands-on business development experience, with registration now open.

“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, Special Initiatives, Columbia Basin 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 is open to youth aged 14 to 18 and includes two programs. In Be Entrepreneurial, participants develop a business idea and pitch it to judges. In the Company Program, youth work in teams 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, Programs, JABC.

“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.”

Malina Zmavc participated in a summer entrepreneurship and innovation camp in Trail, where youth developed business ideas, and built leadership and teamwork skills. Registration is now open for free virtual entrepreneurship programs for Basin youth ages 14 to 18. (Photo credit: Tam Dinh, JABC)

A free, five-day entrepreneurship and innovation camp held this summer helped launch the programming. Co-hosted by the Trail Youth Action Network, the camp paired youth with mentors as they developed business ideas, built leadership and teamwork skills, and pitched 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 in virtual programming delivered via Zoom beginning later this fall. More information and registration are available at ourtrust.org/jabc-workshops.