Twenty-seven students from the Quesnel, Williams Lake, and Vanderhoof areas recently celebrated the successful completion of a free business program hosted by the University of Northern British Columbia. The Business Development Assistants Certificate Program was part of the federally financed Community Adjustment Fund and received just over $1 million in 2009 to teach business skills to Aboriginal, unemployed, and low-income residents in those communities.

“The program went very well,” says Continuing Studies Program Coordinator Titi Kunkel, who is also a PhD student at UNBC. “The work placement component was a big part of it. Some of the students who were unemployed coming into the Program found work even before graduation. Many others plan on completing business degrees.”

The Program consisted of business, computing, and writing courses, many of which can now be applied towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree. The courses were taught by instructors who lived in or near the communities so they will be available as community mentors after the program’s completion. The instructor also liaised with band offices and tribal councils to increase and help kick start First Nations community ventures.

“A number of students have said the Program is already helping them get jobs,” says Kunkel. “So it was absolutely worthwhile and I wouldn’t hesitate to participate again. What’s more, as part of their coursework, the students had to create their own business proposal. Many were so excited about what they came up with that they now plan on now turning their business ideas into reality.”