The Venture Connect Program is a pilot program and a partnership between the Province of BC, Island Coastal Economic Trust, and Island Coastal Credit Union and will serve Central and Northern Vancouver Island, Powell River, the Sunshine Coast and Howe Sound. The purpose of the program is to encourage those who are contemplating small business to buy an existing business rather than starting a new one. The program is in response to a study done that indicates a large portion of rural small business owners are looking to retire or otherwise leave their business in the next 5 years.

To assist in this process the Venture Connect Program will provide training and services to potential purchasers and in addition support and training to the business owners to ensure their businesses are transition ready. If a person has a current connection to Employment Insurance (EI) or has established an EI period in the previous 36 months they can receive financial support as well in the same way that Business Works does with their clients. They will require a return to work action plan from their Employment Counsellor referring them to the program.

To find out more about this program make an appointment at the Career Centre.