Canadore College in North Bay has launched an Entrepreneurship Academy – the first of its kind in Canada – to encourage more students to become business owners.
Slated to open for enrollment in September 2022, the academy will introduce new programming in the areas of entrepreneurship management, business analytics, and entrepreneurial tourism (hotel, resort, and restaurant), which will be offered in addition to its existing business programs.
Students will also have access to hands-on training along with mentorship opportunities and investors who will coach them through their studies.
In a Nov. 10 news release, the college said the academy will offer “learning modalities that do not exist elsewhere in Canada, focusing on adaptive, entrepreneurial skill sets.”
“As Canadore looks towards the future, we must be responsive to the needs of the businesses, industries, communities, and students we serve,” said George Burton, president and CEo at Canadore College, in the release.
“The academy will also offer students the ability to obtain various micro-credentials in different areas of study, diversifying their learning experience in business, and building resilient business leaders,” added Dr. Ahmed Obaide, Canadore’s vice-president of academic.
In the future, the college said it plans to host entrepreneurial conferences and a series of webinars aimed at connecting students with entrepreneurs.
Their learning will be aided through the Innovation Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Prototyping (ICAMP) where they’ll have access to that facility's range of specialized equipment designed to perform precise functions associated with additive manufacturing, waterjet cutting, robotic welding, and more.
Students enrolled at the academy can pursue their studies on either a part-time or full-time basis, the school said, and will simultaneously be encouraged to start their own business.
