School of entrepreneurs in the region

leading businesses. leading businesses. The Entrepreneurship School of Quebec has officially opened its campus in Monterrey. If the main campus office is located in Cowansville, many courses and workshops will be offered throughout the Monterey and Estrie region and virtually.

In total, the Monterrey campus covers 22 HR centres, ranging from Vaudreuil-Dorion to Sorel-Tracy, via the Estrie or the regions of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Longueuil or Saint-Hyacinthe.

“Yes, we have physical addresses for Montérégie, in Prome Missisqui, Vaudreuil-Solange and Pierre de Sorel, but we will also be happy to go to other places depending on the needs,” explains the general director from the art school. Entrepreneurship in Quebec, Michel Fortin. We want to be present in the four corners of the province to provide maximum accessibility to entrepreneurs who want to develop their skills.

The Cowansvillois office of the Entrepreneurship School of Quebec is located in the former building of the BM District, in the same building as the CLD and the Immigrant Resource Center in Brome-Missisquoi.

“The school model has changed with the pandemic,” says Raphael Gendron, regional director of the Quebec Entrepreneurship School’s Montérégie campus. The idea of ​​having a physical campus somewhere like other universities before it has changed. I must say that from the beginning the Montérégie campus was already seen with several satellite locations and that the courses moved, taking into account the area. »

“The goal is to connect with entrepreneurs,” he adds. For example, if the Pierre de Sorel region says they need training, we will bring them there. We have become more curated than just a physical space with a class that belongs to us. »

The Campus Montérégie team, which has been offering training courses since May 2021, works with various local development centres, chambers of commerce, social economy centers or business support centers in the region to identify the needs of entrepreneurs in the region. .

“We have an advisory committee that will join entrepreneurs and members of organizations from across the region to get the pulse,” says Mr. Gendron. In fact, Broome Missisquoi does not have the same realities as Vaudreuil or Acton Valley. The economic fabric is not the same, we adapt and work with the environment to meet needs. »

Profitable training

The courses and workshops offered are aimed at young entrepreneurs and those with many years of experience.

“We have basic accounting training and management leadership programs that last several weeks,” Mr. Gendron gives as an example. Our goal is to be able to meet the needs of entrepreneurs, no matter where they are in their development. »

The Quebec Entrepreneurship School announced it would establish itself in Cowansville in January 2020, before the pandemic hit hard.

“The CLD in Brome-Missisquoi has submitted its application to host the Entrepreneurship School of Quebec, so we are very proud and happy that the project has come to fruition,” said CLD President and Mayor of Bromont, Louis Villeneuve. This is a very important thing, a very powerful action to promote entrepreneurship and support those who want to accelerate their business development. »

Bromont Campervan owner, Olivier Marcoux, recounted his experience with the Entrepreneur School during the official opening held near Vignoble de l’Orpailleur in Dunham.

“When Rafael Gendron called me to take courses, I thought I had the knowledge. I had been an entrepreneur for a year, had made a certain form of profit, and I told myself that I didn’t need to,” admits Mr. Gendron. Marco. “Given the relationship I had with Rafael, I trusted I participated in his growth program as a business manager. We were able to develop every week, not only theoretically, but also by discussing our strengths and weaknesses with other companies. This confidence that this course gave me allowed me to be where I am today. »