November 25, 2013

Investing in entrepreneurship, the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Foundation recently donated $25,000 to Medicine Hat College’s Entrepreneur Development Centre (EDC).

The funds will aid in expanding the Be Your Own Boss seminar series that is currently being offered to students in the trades program at MHC. Be Your Own Boss trains students on financial literacy, entrepreneurship and small business basics by bringing in experts as well as entrepreneurs to speak on their experience.

The donation from RBC Foundation will help fuel growth of the series, opening the sessions to visual communications and massage therapy students as well as having the seminar series evolve into a curriculum that focuses on the early stages of business development.

“We’re focusing on programs with a high likelihood for self-employment,” said Jon Sookocheff, manager of the EDC. “There is a consensus from students that a combination of in-person, online and workbook resources, using current startup methodology, will best prepare students for successfully starting their business.”

RBC’s donation is not only assisting the EDC in achieving their goals, but is benefiting students at MHC and helping to build a sustainable business economy through entrepreneurship.

“RBC’s contribution is important to the college,” said Sookocheff. “They have been a huge supporter of student entrepreneurship at MHC. We’re ecstatic to see this relationship continue and evolve.  All of our partners are working hard to make the EDC the best it can be.”

“RBC is pleased to support the Entrepreneur Development Centre at Medicine Hat College,” says Tim Panabaker, senior account manager, Commercial Financial Services. “Through this program and its various elements, students begin to learn the critical essentials of financial literacy and small business management. At RBC, we believe that’s not only a great investment in our next generation of business and community leaders, but also in the future growth and economic sustainability of this community.” 

Interested in learning more about the EDC and the sessions available to students? Contact Jon Sookocheff at 403.504.3585, jsookocheff@mhc.ab.ca or visit www.mhc.ab.ca.

Are you a company interested in making your match at MHC? We encourage you to contact our Foundation office to learn about the opportunities available to invest in our students, our college and our community. 

Learn more; contact Tracy Stroud, development officer at tstroud@mhc.ab.ca and 403.502.8997 or Jennifer Kerslake, community officer at jkerslake@mhc.ab.ca or 403.504.3643.

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Media contact:

Kendra Borgen
Media Officer
Medicine Hat College
Direct: 403.504.3643
Email:  kborgen@mhc.ab.ca