News Releases
November 17, 2015
ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ entrepreneur mentorship program up and running in Moncton
MONCTON – Eight New Brunswick Community College (ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½) graduates in Moncton are now paired with eight experienced entrepreneurs as part of OASIS, an entrepreneurial mentorship program that launched last week with a networking reception and interactive professional development sessions at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Moncton.
The College is building on a successful pilot in the Miramichi region that began last year. Now, aspiring and budding entrepreneurs in Greater Moncton have the opportunity to connect with mentors through a unique, structured and multi-levelled mentorship process.
“Through a targeted mentorship approach, specific business challenges are addressed through one-on-one mentoring, community networking and professional development,” said Mary Butler, Vice-President of College and Community Development at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½. “These business challenges range from business planning and marketing to accounting and networking, and are addressed all within a short timeframe.”
During this four-month mentorship period, mentees and mentors meet one-on-one for a minimum of one hour per month to work on specific business needs, receive monthly evaluations on their progress, and take part in four other professional development opportunities.
“We’re excited to help bring business leaders and community groups together to support entrepreneurs and help them succeed,” said Butler. “Our ultimate goal is to support the successful development of small and micro-businesses in all six ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ regions around the province.”
Small business accounts for 98% of all New Brunswick business. According to the Canadian Youth Business Federation, 88% of entrepreneurs who have mentors survive compared to 50% who do not.
Tom Meadus, Director of Advancement at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ said the results of the first pilot exceeded ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½’s expectations, along with the expectations of the participants. “Mentees reported increased clientele and revenue, greater brand awareness, as well as an increase in the size of their office or number of employees,” said Meadus. “We are confident that mentees and mentors in Moncton’s strong business community will also gain access to information, ideas and new ways of doing things.”
OASIS is just one aspect of ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½’s growing commitment to supporting entrepreneurship. Other aspects include integrating entrepreneurship competencies into ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ programs, and connecting students with a successful businessperson through an Entrepreneur-in-Residence program, currently available at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Miramichi Campus.
For further information about the OASIS program, visit .
With over 90 programs and six campuses across New Brunswick, New Brunswick Community College (ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½) is a provincially-recognized, public post-secondary institution reputed for producing skilled, knowledgeable graduates who are contributing to the Province’s socio-economic prosperity. ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ offers students one- and two-year certificate and diploma programs. Find out more by visiting: .
Misty Wade Hovey
Communications Officer, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½
506.453.8194
misty.wade-hovey@nbcc.ca
The College is building on a successful pilot in the Miramichi region that began last year. Now, aspiring and budding entrepreneurs in Greater Moncton have the opportunity to connect with mentors through a unique, structured and multi-levelled mentorship process.
“Through a targeted mentorship approach, specific business challenges are addressed through one-on-one mentoring, community networking and professional development,” said Mary Butler, Vice-President of College and Community Development at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½. “These business challenges range from business planning and marketing to accounting and networking, and are addressed all within a short timeframe.”
During this four-month mentorship period, mentees and mentors meet one-on-one for a minimum of one hour per month to work on specific business needs, receive monthly evaluations on their progress, and take part in four other professional development opportunities.
“We’re excited to help bring business leaders and community groups together to support entrepreneurs and help them succeed,” said Butler. “Our ultimate goal is to support the successful development of small and micro-businesses in all six ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ regions around the province.”
Small business accounts for 98% of all New Brunswick business. According to the Canadian Youth Business Federation, 88% of entrepreneurs who have mentors survive compared to 50% who do not.
Tom Meadus, Director of Advancement at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ said the results of the first pilot exceeded ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½’s expectations, along with the expectations of the participants. “Mentees reported increased clientele and revenue, greater brand awareness, as well as an increase in the size of their office or number of employees,” said Meadus. “We are confident that mentees and mentors in Moncton’s strong business community will also gain access to information, ideas and new ways of doing things.”
OASIS is just one aspect of ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½’s growing commitment to supporting entrepreneurship. Other aspects include integrating entrepreneurship competencies into ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ programs, and connecting students with a successful businessperson through an Entrepreneur-in-Residence program, currently available at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Miramichi Campus.
For further information about the OASIS program, visit .
With over 90 programs and six campuses across New Brunswick, New Brunswick Community College (ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½) is a provincially-recognized, public post-secondary institution reputed for producing skilled, knowledgeable graduates who are contributing to the Province’s socio-economic prosperity. ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ offers students one- and two-year certificate and diploma programs. Find out more by visiting: .
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Media contact:Misty Wade Hovey
Communications Officer, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½
506.453.8194
misty.wade-hovey@nbcc.ca
ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ campuses are located on Mi’kmaq, Wolastoq and Peskotomuhkati homelands. Since 1726 this land has been subject to treaties that are still in effect today. We are grateful to learn together on this land and do so guided by the original spirit of those treaties - peace, respect and friendship.
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