Venture for Canada, an organization dedicated to recruiting and training youth to work at startups, received $1,480,406 in funding administered by the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) on behalf of the Government of Ontario.
The non-profit allows Fellows in the program to attend a month-long training camp, spend two years working at a Canadian SMEs, and receive access to ongoing support, training, and mentorship over two years. The funding is going towards further supporting the program.
“In a changing economy, young people now more than ever need entrepreneurial skills and nimbleness to succeed,” said Scott Stirrett, founder and CEO of Venture for Canada. “Through the Government of Ontario’s support, Venture for Canada will provide more Ontarian youth with the experiential learning opportunities needed to learn skills, gain work experience, share knowledge and build resilience.”
Each year, VFC, in partnership with OCE, hosts Fellow Selection Days, all-day events where Fellow applicants undergo a series of group and individual interviews from different innovation experts.
“Since making college and university tuition free for thousands of students, we know it’s easier for people to get the skills to succeed,” says Mitzie Hunter, Ontario’s Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development. “Still, graduates require hands-on work experience to build their professional resumes and find good, well-paying jobs. By working with Venture for Canada, we’re helping more young people in Ontario compete in a highly skilled workforce, and making sure the province keeps its talent advantage.”
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