News Release Archive

EDUCATION/CULTURE--'OPEN FOR BUSINESS' OPENS FOR BUSINESS
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Open for Business is a radically different approach to an
employment centre. It's aimed at young people, 30 and under, and
it promotes an entrepreneurial culture.

Instead of simply looking for a job, visitors to Open for
Business can create their own. It's a place for people to
discover and develop their entrepreneurial skills and to turn
their good ideas into businesses.

At Thursday's official opening, visitors to the storefront on the
corner of Spring Garden Road and Grafton Street, in Halifax,
could observe youth learning about entrepreneurship. They could
also see products and services of other entrepreneurs, showcased
in the Youth Market, and real success stories featuring local
entrepreneurs on the Wall of Fame.

The Open for Business operation is made possible by partnerships
between the Nova Scotia Economic Renewal Agency, Human Resources
Development Canada, the Centre for Entrepreneurship, Education
and Development, and MT&T. It is staffed by two coordinators and
five peer mentors trained as counsellors and information
officers.

"This storefront will lead to more people becoming entrepreneurs
and creating jobs for themselves and other young Nova Scotians.
Goals have been set and the centre expects to help over 1,000
young people before the end of September," said Education and
Culture Minister Robbie Harrison.

Harry Vaughan, associate director general, Human Resources
Development Canada, said: "Only the strength of partnerships can
mobilize governments, the private sector and other agencies to
effectively help youth to create their own opportunities in the
current and future labor markets."

In addition to business advice, Open for Business provides a
public access computer, and nine additional classroom computers
for individual training. Users can "surf the Net" for business
ideas or learn to use small business software. Regular workshops
and seminars will target business start-ups, with expert input
from many other sources, such as other young entrepreneurs,
bankers, and lawyers.

"The storefront is for youth looking to take control of their own
future. We want to show them that starting a business is possible
and that they can do it. We offer them the opportunity to
generate ideas, explore opportunities and actually start a
business," said Chris Curtis, manager of the project and the
Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development.


Open for Business is open between 11 a.m. and  9 p.m. Monday to
Friday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

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Contact: Colin Craig  902-424-7246

trp                    August 08, 1996 - 1:00 p.m.