At some point or another, virtually everyone has thought about being his or her own boss. And the ideas for starting a business are virtually limitless.
The advent of shows such as CBC's Dragons' Den, has fueled the entrepreneurial fire and business people, including Saskatchewan's own Brett Wilson, are being turned into rock stars.
"Entrepreneurs have made fundamental impacts throughout the history of Canada, and today more and more Canadians from all walks of life are becoming, or thinking of becoming, entrepreneurs, states The State of Entrepreneurship in Canada, a report by published by Industry Canada. "Canadian entrepreneurs are celebrated in their communities and in the media, and, in an age where people are cynical about many public figures, they are becoming our new role models."
In fact, entrepreneurship has never been healthier in Canada and particularly in Saskatchewan. But there is an awful lot to know about how to start and effectively run a business. Now, potential entrepreneurs can get a leg up with the announcement of Parkland College's new Entrepreneurship and Small Business Certificate program.
The one year course of study covers entrepreneurship, bookkeeping, communications, marketing, management, computer applications, operations, financial management and human resources.
Larry Pearen, Parkland College Yorkton's manager of business, health and human services, said the program is perfect for both people interested in starting a new venture or who want to work as managers in small businesses.
It's also accredited and transferable to business certificate and degree programs through SIAST.
Pearen hopes the course will appeal to three main groups of people. People who are already working in a field, but want to be their own boss; First Nations people and; recent immigrants who need help navigating the Saskatchewan system.
On the First Nations front, Elaine Severight, who oversees post-secondary education for the Yorkton Tribal Council, said her organization will do all they can, including referrals, funding and support to help
"I'm in support of this program," Severight said. "I'd like to see our people better themselves by having their own businesses."
She sees it as a great opportunity for people who are already studying in the trades to take the next step.
Juanita Polegi, executive director of the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce, is also a big fan of the program.
"I think it's a great thing to be able to offer this program and allow students the opportunity to start their own business," she said. "It's the small business that drive the economy."
The statistics are certainly with Polegi on that point. Nearly 80 per cent of new jobs in Canada are created by small businesses.
