The International Education Business Partnership Network has named Access-Ability the top program in North American in developing Youth Employability Skills.
Access-Ability is a youth employment program run by the Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre, in partnership with Service Canada and Enactus Saint Mary’s and funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities. The program focuses on providing youth living with disabilities in the Atlantic region the opportunity to achieve gainful employment and/or start their own business.
The recognition came at the IPN Global Best Awards held in Houston, Texas, October 17-19. The program won in a category that recognizes excellence in promoting the development of employability skills among youth and providing youth with tools, experience, and avenues for showcasing their employability skills to potential employers.
“Access-Ability has been successful in helping our clients enhance their employability through tailored training and experiential learning opportunities. The youth develop valuable employment skills, leadership abilities, as well as an entrepreneurial mindset. The partner businesses gain employees with problem-solving skills, new insights, and creativity,” says Michael Sanderson, director of the SMUEC.
The Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre is a leading provider of university-based business support services in Atlantic Canada. Over the past 25 years, the SMUEC has worked to enhance our community’s prosperity by helping business and student leaders reach their entrepreneurial potential.
Recognized regionally, nationally and globally for our programming, the SMUEC supports leaders through consulting, training, promoting entrepreneurship and cultivating community connections.