OTTAWA, February 18, 2005 -- The Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry, and Gordon Cummings, President & CEO of CESO (Canadian Executive Service Organization), today announced a Mentoring Pilot Project designed to help young Aboriginal entrepreneurs succeed in business. The two-year pilot project is a partnership between Industry Canada's ABC (Aboriginal Business Canada) program and CESO. Under this initiative, ABC will contribute $340 000 to CESO to deliver personalized mentoring services to 60 ABC youth entrepreneur clients. The pilot project will operate in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Southwestern Ontario, with ABC identifying 15 clients from each province. Those selected will receive an average of 20 days of personalized mentoring services from a CESO Mentor over the two-year period, during which they will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and find solutions to common business problems. "Supporting young Aboriginal entrepreneurs has long been a priority for Aboriginal Business Canada. With this new pilot project, we are enhancing the business services that we already provide through ABC," said Minister Emerson. "This initiative is another positive example of how public-private partnerships can help to further economic opportunities for Aboriginal people." Young entrepreneurs have better chances at succeeding if they receive mentoring at the early stages of business development. A Youth Business International conference held in October 2003 concluded that mentoring, along with access to financing, were the two most important variables in the success of young entrepreneurs. The pilot project brings these two elements together, building on the key roles and experience of ABC and CESO. "CESO has been in the mentoring business for a long time," explained Gordon Cummings, CESO President & CEO. "Our network of 3400 Volunteer Advisers is one of the largest talent pools of management and technical expertise in the country. Through our own work, and through partnerships with organizations such as the Canadian Youth Business Foundation, we have become a key resource for knowledge on the structures, practices and environment needed to foster positive mentoring outcomes." The Canadian Youth Business Foundation is also contributing an important tool to this initiative. Its successful Entre Nous mentor/entrepreneur training program will be used during the mentoring process. Industry Canada's ABC program supports the establishment and growth of Aboriginal businesses through information and financial support. Through its network of Volunteer Advisers, CESO delivers business and advisory services to businesses and communities, helping them achieve greater self-sufficiency and growth. In accordance with the commitment stated in the 2004 Speech from the Throne, and reflecting the themes discussed at the recent Economic Opportunities Sectoral Session that Minister Emerson convened in Ottawa, the Government of Canada is working to improve economic opportunities for Aboriginal people and their communities. CESO also shares this goal. Additional background information on the pilot project and the participating organizations is attached. For more information, visit http://www.abc-eac.ic.gc.ca or http://www.ceso-saco.com. For more information, please contact: Media Relations Industry Canada (613) 943-2502 Stéphanie Leblanc Office of the Honourable David L. Emerson Minister of Industry Canada (613) 995-9001 CESO Allison Deer (416) 961-2376 ext. 258 Josie Marchese (416) 961-2376 ext. 253 BACKGROUNDER Mentoring Pilot Project for Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurs What is the pilot project? The ABC-CESO (Aboriginal Business Canada-Canadian Executive Service Organization) Mentoring Pilot Project allows young Aboriginal entrepreneurs to be matched with mentors who will provide them with business advice over a two-year period. What are the benefits of the mentoring pilot project? Young entrepreneurs have better chances of succeeding if they receive mentoring at the early stages of business development. With this pilot, ABC and CESO are seeking to maximize the success of young Aboriginal entrepreneurs by providing 60 ABC clients with direct access to experienced mentors. Who is eligible? Aboriginal entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35, who:reside in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba or Southwestern Ontario;hold an approved Letter of Offer for financial support from ABC; andhave been selected by ABC to participate in the pilot project. How does the project work?ABC will identify a total of 60 youth clients (15 from each participating province).Each entrepreneur will be matched with a CESO Mentor and will receive personalized mentoring services.Each CESO Mentor will make a two-year commitment to spend an average of 10 days per year with the client. Both client and mentor will undergo a mentorship management training program called Entre Nous, an online process developed by the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF). How will the results be assessed? In addition to ongoing monitoring of the mentoring relationships and the entrepreneurs' progress, a formal evaluation of the project will be conducted involving the 60 entrepre-neurs and their CESO Mentors, as well as a control group of entrepreneurs that did not participate in the pilot project. Partner Organizations Aboriginal Business Canada Since 1989, Industry Canada's ABC program has been supporting the establishment and growth of thousands of Aboriginal businesses by providing financial support in the form of equity contributions. Youth entrepreneurship development remains a key priority for ABC, and was broadened in 2003 to include individuals up to age 35. With this new Mentoring Pilot Project, ABC is seeking to maximize the success of its youth clients. For more information, visit http://www.abc-eac.ic.gc.ca or call (613) 954-4064. CESO (Canadian Executive Service Organization) Founded in 1967, CESO has helped communities and businesses in Canada and abroad to achieve greater self-sufficiency and growth through business advisory services provided on a volunteer basis by its members. With its roster of 3400 volunteers -- one of the largest talent pools of management and technical expertise in Canada -- CESO has become a key resource for knowledge on the structures, practices and environment needed to foster positive mentoring outcomes. The new Mentoring Pilot Project is delivered through CESO Aboriginal Services. For more information, visit http://www.ceso-saco.com, or call (416) 961-2376 or 1 800 268-9052. Canadian Youth Business Foundation Founded in 1996, the CYBF seeks to empower young Canadians aged 18 to 34 to realize their ambition of becoming entrepreneurs. The CYBF's online mentoring orientation program, Entre Nous, will be used to support mentors and youth entrepreneurs participating in the ABC-CESO Mentoring Pilot Project. For more information, visit http://www.cybf.ca or contact 1 800 464-2923.