A national program that pairs students with startups and businesses for work experience is set to bring more opportunity to the region’s students.

The Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax is now the Regional Lead Atlantic Canada for Experience Ventures, a program led by The Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary.

The program pairs students with businesses. In each placement, students work on real-world challenges, gaining hands-on experience while earning honorariums. Business partners get access to fresh thinking and the next generation of talent, organizers said in a press release.

“Entrepreneurial thinking is essential to enriching lives and advancing prosperity in Canada,” said Anica Vasic, Senior Director of Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives at the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking.

“Our goal is to ignite an entrepreneurial mindset in students across Canada to develop the next generation of talent that will build our future…”

The partnership currently presents 152 new experiential learning opportunities for students in Atlantic Canada to work directly with businesses, enhancing their skillsets and gaining valuable entrepreneurial experience, organizers said.

There are also other placement opportunities including hackathons, challenges, project experiences, student-in-residence, and interdisciplinary team projects.

Projects run from October 2024 to February 2025. Companies provide in-kind support. Both students and companies go through an onboarding process.

Students and businesses can apply through Experience Ventures at the Arthur L. Irving. Entrepreneurship Centre.