Opening students’ eyes to opportunities

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This article was published 26/01/2018 (3037 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Grade 9 students at Portage Collegiate Institute are dreaming of opening up their own businesses including a coffee house, summer camp and making and selling canine clothing.

These are some of business ideas developed by students who recently took the Be Entrepreneurial program instructed by Community Futures White Horse Plains community economic development coordinator Penny Schoonbaert. The students’ ideas were judged by Schoonbaert, Community Futures Heartland/White Horse Plains general manager Ken Reimer, Mil-Jeanne Flowers & Gifts owner Kyle Pettinger, PCI teacher Sean Hopps and RBC commercial account manager Travis Rintoul.

Schoonbaert said she starts by telling students about well-known people, such as Stephen Spielberg, Colonel Harland Sanders and Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss), whose ideas were rejected many times before they found success.

“Why would you want to be your own boss? Part of it is convincing kids that they can do it,” she said.

She also gives examples of young people who have started their own businesses while still in school.

Portage la Prairie School Division’s career development coordinator Blair Hordeski said he feels that Schoonbaert’s background in supporting entrepreneurs provides inspiration to the students as she focuses on creativity, business and time management.

“We think it is very valuable to the students,” he said.

The Be Entrepreurial program will be offered twice more in the next few months. It is part of a larger initiative designed to educate Grade 9 students on career opportunities in entrepreneurship, agriculture, health care and skilled trades.