Entrepreneurs looking for mentorship opportunities can now search on-the-go, with the launch of the mobile version of MentorshipBC. The searchable, easy-to-use database of business-mentoring programs will now operate on all smartphones and tablets.

Designed with small business owners in mind, MentorshipBC provides a central database to easily find and access programs that meet their specific needs. In addition to providing small businesses with a search tool to find an appropriate mentor program, the site promotes the benefits of working with mentors and using other small business resources.

Organizations throughout B.C. that offer mentorship programs are encouraged to register on the site. As a provincewide resource, MentorshipBC also provides an attractive, and free, marketing opportunity for organizations.

Raising awareness around the benefits of mentorship and available mentorship programs has been a priority for the B.C. government. The development of MentorshipBC came after consultation with 35,000 small business owners in late 2012 and early 2013 during the B.C. Small Business Accord consultations. As a result, the B.C. government provided funding to the BC Innovation Council to develop the MentorshipBC portal. The regular web version of the website was launched on Nov. 1, 2013, at the end of Small Business Month.

Government is committed to implementing programs and initiatives that support the BC Small Business Accord, which aims to make B.C. the most business-friendly jurisdiction in Canada.

Quick Facts:

• Small businesses employed more than one million people in the province in 2012.
• B.C.'s small business community contributes 26 per cent of the province's gross domestic product.
• Small business is defined as a business with fewer than 50 employees, or self-employed without paid help.
• According to the 2013 Small Business Profile, B.C. has the most small businesses per capita in Canada, at 83.5 per 1,000 people.
• About 385,900 small businesses were operating in the province in 2012, 82 per cent of which had fewer than five employees.
• Small business provides about 55 per cent of all private-sector jobs in B.C., the second-highest rate in Canada.
• Small businesses account for 85 per cent of all exporters in B.C.
• B.C.'s small businesses shipped approximately $12.2 billion worth of merchandise to international destinations in 2011, which accounts for 42 per cent of all the goods exported from the province.

Learn More:

MentorshipBC: www.MentorshipBC.ca

BC Small Business Accord: www.jtst.gov.bc.ca/sbaccord/

Small Business Profile 2013: www.resourcecentre.gov.bc.ca/pdf/SB_Profile_2013.pdf

Small Business Profile Highlights 2013: www.resourcecentre.gov.bc.ca/pdf/SB-Highlights2013.pdf

Mobile (smartphone) version Small Business Profile 2013: www.resourcecentre.gov.bc.ca/m/sbp2013/index.html

Regulatory Reform B.C. website: www.gov.bc.ca/regulatoryreform

Small Business Doing Business with Government Project: www.jtst.gov.bc.ca/selltobcgov/index.htm

B.C. Small Business Roundtable website and annual report: www.smallbusinessroundtable.ca

To better understand the importance of small business to our communities: www.youtube.com/embed/160RqiFsb8k?rel=0

Media Contact:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business
250 387-2799

MentorshipBC
Katie Reiach
604 614-5283
katie@talkshopmedia.com