Leader’s Chamber of Commerce connects youth with businesses

By Joan Janzen

The Leader & District Chamber of Commerce is actively seeking solutions for the future of the town of Leader. Lee Elsasser is Chamber Development Officer and one of the 61 members of the local Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber recognized needs in their town. Acquiring the services of a mechanic, welder, veterinarian and a chiropractor/physiotherapist would benefit the community and fill those voids. They also took into consideration the business opportunities available with a mechanic shop for sale and the RM of Happyland’s ownership of a vet clinic.

Lee Elsasser is Development Officer for the Leader & District Chamber of Commerce. They want to open up the possibility of new and innovative business ideas for their town, and give current businesses an opportunity at succession planning. Submitted

In response to these needs, the Chamber has scheduled a Business Connections event which will be held in March at Leader Composite School. “The event will give the youth an opportunity to talk to a variety of businesses about what a typical day is like in those career options, potential career opportunities, training that may be offered through companies, information on courses needed, or where they could go to post secondary school for those careers,” Elsasser explained. 

Businesses represented will be able to offer advice to the students, let them know if they would offer training coverage and inform them about the availability of summer job opportunities.

“Our goal is to help our youth connect with local business leaders,” Elsasser said. The Chamber is hoping to make this an annual event for Grade 10 to 12 students. Elsasser is approaching businesses, but is confident twenty or more businesses will participate in the event.

The idea for the Business Connections event grew out of the Sandhills Credit Union Marketplace, where young entrepreneurs are encouraged to start thinking outside the box and try their hand at business. The Leader Chamber of Commerce built the marketplace and run it, while The Sandhills Credit Union is the naming right sponsor.

“We want to encourage and help any youth that would like to make Leader their home after high school or post secondary education,” Elsasser said. “We want to open up the possibility of new and innovative business ideas for our town, as well as give current businesses an opportunity to look at succession planning.”