4-H youth to sample bioscience careers on P.E.I.
Island 4-H members will get to explore career opportunities in P.E.I.’s bioscience sector thanks to a financial gift.
The Prince Edward Island BioAlliance announced a $5,000 donation from the Grant Thornton Foundation to 4-H P.E.I. in Charlottetown on Nov. 8.
The donation allows the P.E.I. BioAlliance to continue and expand its BioFutures program that provides 4-H members, aged 15 to 21, with hands-on experiences spanning six areas of bioscience.
"This donation will let us help even more senior 4-Hers to explore bioscience skills and opportunities on the Island through BioFutures," said Rayanne Frizzell, administrative director with the P.E.I. 4-H provincial council.
"We thank the staff at Grant Thornton and the P.E.I. BioAlliance for their generosity."
Since 2018, 10 to 12 senior 4-H members annually have toured Island bioscience companies and research organizations and taken part in learning activities there.
The 4-H members undertake activities with the bioscience professionals to shed light on career opportunities available in the province as well as the science and technology skills required to join the bioscience sector.
"Bioscience companies need skilled talent to grow, and BioFutures introduces 4-H students to the skills they need to grow along with those companies," said Russ Kerr, chair of the P.E.I. BioAlliance.
"Thanks to the Grant Thornton Foundation, we can extend BioFutures to invest in giving more students a taste of the premium careers available right here at home on the Island."
The P.E.I. BioAlliance and 4-H P.E.I. are eager to have BioFutures reach senior 4-H members from across the province, including additional rural areas.
Through BioFutures, 4-H leaders will also receive orientation to become more informed about P.E.I.'s bioscience sector and potential scholarships available to 4-H youth.
The Grant Thornton Foundation is a vehicle for the accounting and advisory firm to organize the collective volunteer and philanthropic efforts, and significant contributions of its people across Canada. The Foundation provides financial support for local, national and international causes that resonate with Grant Thornton employees.
The P.E.I. BioAlliance is open to exploring partnerships with other P.E.I. not-for-profit organizations to introduce more Island students to BioFutures and the opportunities available in P.E.I.'s bioscience sector.
"The saying that charity begins at home is indeed true of our employees who volunteer and fundraise here on P.E.I.," said Blair Dunn, incoming managing partner (P.E.I.), Grant Thornton LLP.
"We are proud to have the Grant Thornton Foundation make a difference locally through this donation to the 4-H community on P.E.I."