November 28, 2019

Medicine Hat College (MHC) showed their appreciation and gratitude to the Royal Bank of Canada Foundation (RBC) on Monday by hosting a luncheon to recognize and thank RBC for their continued support of the Entrepreneur Development Centre (EDC).

The relationship between RBC and MHC spans three decades back to 1989, with RBC providing support specifically to the EDC since 2010.

This year alone, the RBC Foundation donated $75,000 to the EDC to support on-campus learning, one-on-one coaching, hands-on training and development, expert mentorship, and start-up funding, as well as outreach programs within four high schools in southeastern Alberta.

Kevin Zimmel, regional vice president of commercial financial services at RBC, spoke at the event stating, “Earlier this year we made the announcement of a significant enhancement to our contribution to the college’s entrepreneurship program and the Rural Youth Entrepreneurship project. These programs are going to help build skills in a changing world of work that we see, not only today but in the future moving forward.”

RBC’s Future Launch program has made a 10 year commitment to invest $500 million dollars to help young Canadians prepare for a changing workforce by supporting youth in getting work experience, growing their network, gaining new skills, and enhancing their mental wellbeing.

“MHC’s commitment to learning, collaboration and innovation – they’re values that are shared with RBC. We stand behind MHC completely and look forward to continuing to support and enhance the program in the years to come,” says Zimmel.

Christie Wilson, entrepreneur outreach coordinator at MHC, called the event a celebration of the amazing power of partnership, highlighting the impact RBC’s generous donation and support has on the lives of the students she works with.

The EDC program teaches a diverse range of entrepreneurial skills and provides students with the knowledge to develop, test and potentially operate a business. They also have the opportunity to pitch their business venture to a panel of judges with the chance to win cash for start-up funding. Newly expanded into three more high schools, she says the funding from RBC allows for the program to broaden and have a greater impact on students in our region, opening their mind to what is possible.

“We are proud to work side by side with organizations like RBC who share the belief that teaching and engaging youth in entrepreneurship is going to have a powerful impact on our economy and workforce in the future,” states Wilson.

“We wouldn’t be able to do what we do, guiding aspiring entrepreneurs down the path of innovation and business-ownership, if it wasn’t for not only the funding RBC provides us, but the on-going mentorship and expertise they give to our students. We are so very thankful to RBC and all of our community partners for their incredible support.”

For more information on the EDC, visit www.mhc.ab.ca/Services/EntrepreneurDevelopmentCentre.

To find out how you can get involved with the college contact Jennifer Kerslake, manager of fund development at jkerslake@mhc.ab.ca or 403.502.8995.