REGINA, August 18, 2014 – The Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur, a program of Prince’s Charities Canada launches its annual Based in Business boot camp today in Regina at the Paul J. Hill School of Business at the University of Regina.

The Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur provides training and resources to transitioning Canadian Armed Forces members interested in starting their own businesses. The Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur is a made-in-Canada program that combines two of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales’ lifelong interests of encouraging entrepreneurship and support for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

“Our Government is committed to ensuring our dedicated Canadian Armed Forces personnel have access to the programs and services they need as they make the transition to civilian life,” said the Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification. “The Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur provides participants the opportunity to develop the skills needed to fully participate in the economy creating jobs and prosperity in their communities.”

“At Based in Business, twenty military members will be better equipped as they re-enter the civilian world and start second careers,” said Astrid-Maria Ciarallo, Associate at The Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur.

Intergenerational collaboration is another unique feature of Based in Business. Business students from The Paul J. Hill School are paired with participants to provide one-on-one mini-mentoring to share their learnings and help participants build their business plans.

Participant Mike Chiasson is a Sergeant in the CAF and is “looking forward to the week ahead and being in the classroom with such accomplished professors. I have just been released and will start working on my business full-time, so will hit the ground running with what I have learned”.

“It is a privilege for the Paul J. Hill School of Business professors to both contribute to the participants’ transition into civilian life and offer them skills and the tools to build confidence in their business ideas,” explained Brian Schumacher, Associate Dean in the Faculty of Business Administration. “The program helps ensure that the gap for entrepreneurship education for CAF members is filled”.

The Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur is the only program of its kind in Canada. “Over the years, we have seen very inspiring business success stories. His Royal Highness is committed to supporting the military community, for whom he serves as Colonel-in-Chief to seven different regiments. This program is a way of recognizing the invaluable service that the Canadian Armed Forces deliver by helping members take on the next phase of their careers,” stated Amanda Sherrington, President and CEO, Prince’s Charities Canada.