The Chang School forms partnership with the Canadian Youth Business Foundation
TORONTO, May 30, 2013 – The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education at Ryerson University has partnered with the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) to offer a specialized workshop for entrepreneurial mentors.
“Entrepreneurs with innovative ideas and fresh approaches make a significant contribution to Canada’s economy, yet Industry Canada statistics suggest just half of new businesses survive their first five years,” says Dr. Gervan Fearon, Dean of The Chang School. “We’ve seen firsthand and through our research initiatives that a mentor can make the difference between success and failure – and the more skilled a mentor is, the more likely he or she is to have a significant positive impact on a start-up business.”
“We’re pleased to partner with Ryerson University’s Chang School on this important initiative to support our dedicated mentors,” said Julia Deans, CEO, CYBF. “Thanks to their expert business advice and encouragement, we are able to help young entrepreneurs launch careers and businesses in communities across Canada. We honour and thank each and every mentor for tirelessly supporting entrepreneurial success and sharing their insights with other mentors.”
The one-day workshop, Entrepreneurial Mentoring: Cultivating the Art, on Thursday, May 30, 2013, is open to all CYBF mentors and will provide participants with the skills and knowledge needed to be highly valued mentors. It combines leading-edge academic learning with the collective experience of people who are actively mentoring young Canadian entrepreneurs. Attendees will reflect on their approach to mentoring, refine their listening and guidance skills, learn to recognize mentoring blind spots, and gain new perspectives on creating optimal entrepreneurial mentoring relationships.
“As a long-time CYBF mentor, I’m eager to meet and collaborate with other mentors to share valuable experiences and advice on some of the key issues faced by young entrepreneurs,” said Ron Smith, a three-time CYBF mentor and workshop participant. “I believe I owe it to the entrepreneurs who trust in me to continue improving my knowledge of mentoring. A successful business is their dream and hope for the future, and this is the least I can do in giving them the support they count on.”
CYBF is a non-profit organization that provides start-up financing and mentoring to new entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 39. All CYBF entrepreneurs must be mentored for two years as part of their financing agreement. CYBF approached The Chang School to develop and deliver a program that contributes to the skills growth of Canadian entrepreneurial mentors and gives young entrepreneurs the best possible chance for success.
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Ryerson University’s G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education
With approximately 70,000 annual enrollments, The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education is Canada’s leading provider of university-based adult education. The Chang School offers more than 1,500 courses, workshops, and seminars; 91 career-related certificate programs, 22 of which can be completed entirely online; and numerous course series. The school’s mission is to be a leader in innovative, quality, lifelong learning that empowers adults to reach their life and career goals.
Canadian Youth Business Foundation
The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to growing our nation’s economy one young entrepreneur at a time. We look at character, not collateral, when providing youth, age 18–39, with pre-launch coaching, business resources, start-up financing, and mentoring, to help them launch and sustain a successful entrepreneurial business. CYBF has been recognized as a global leader in advancing youth entrepreneurship, is a founding member of the global G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance (G20 YEA) and the Canadian Host of Global Entrepreneurship Week (November 18–24, 2013). Visit www.cybf.ca for more information.
For further information:
Linda Koechli
Program Director, Business
The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education
Ryerson University
416.979.5000, ext. 7872
Lesley Wilmot
Director, Marketing & Communications
Canadian Youth Business Foundation
416.408.2923 ext. 2203