Teck Resources is inviting female entrepreneurs from the Elk Valley to apply for a grant to attend the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE) E-Series in Vancouver in May.
E-Series is a three day conference designed by and for women entrepreneurs and business owners that helps them to gain the skills and confidence to move their business onwards and upwards. The conference invites women to explore topics such as sales and marketing, branding, financing and more.
According to Tammy Ogden, community liaison for Teck Coal, “E-series is for any self-identified woman entrepreneur who is currently leading business at any stage, in any industry. This includes businesses in the start-up, high growth or mature stage. They will walk away with the tools and resources to grow their business.”
According to FWE, graduates from their program are three times more likely than the national average to still be in business after five years of operation. They are also likely to create 10 more jobs within the first three years after the program. FWE also noted that 100 per cent of women who have attended the conference said that they have “gained knowledge and connections that helped grow their business” and “found E-Series valuable and would recommend it to a fellow entrepreneur.”
Since the conference has proven its value for female entrepreneurs, Teck Resources is sponsoring a grant for one woman from the Elk Valley to attend.
“We are looking for one growth-driven female entrepreneur from the Elk Valley to apply to and attend E-Series as a Teck grant recipient,” said Ogden.
The grant will cover $1,000 for travel and accommodation to Vancouver for the conference as well as $2,000 towards the $2,500 tuition fee. The grant recipient is then responsible for covering the remaining $500. Also included is 12 months of one-on-one mentorship and continued support following the conference end date. Finally, Teck is offering to cover meals of the grant recipient while they are in Vancouver.
Teck Resources has supported the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs since 2012. According to Ogden, “the current Teck corporate partnership includes eight grants for women entrepreneurs from B.C., Alberta and Alaska.”
The partnership between FWE and Teck is “bringing real impact to women business owners and their communities,” said Ogden.
For any women entrepreneurs who are interested in becoming the Teck grant recipient, they can complete an application online at Fwe.ca/eseries-west. The deadline for the application is April 3 at 5 p.m.
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