The desire to remain intellectually curious, adopt new skills, and expand knowledge does not come with a deadline. It is a lifelong, ongoing process.
Just ask some of the G.O.A.T.S –
- Bill Gates still takes a 2 week ‘Think Week’ every year, where he isolates himself with a set of books and his thoughts.
- Elon Musk turned himself into a rocket-building expert by borrowing books from aerospace consultant Jim Cantrell.
- In her book, Indra Nooyi, one of only 11 female CEOs of a Fortune 500 company, talks in depth about how she eagerly called experts, friends, and mentors without hesitation to give her a crash course on a subject she didn’t know enough about.
And in today’s whirlwind world, where technology flips industries upside down overnight, things are that much more daunting. An online education platform that surveyed 800 executives and employees found that 49% of current skills won’t be relevant in 2 years (this includes the executives’ own skills as well!), and 47% think their teams are unprepared for the future.
Now that we’ve successfully established the urgency, it’s time for action. As an entrepreneur and business owner, the responsibility of continuous learning hits you twice as hard. First, you’ve got to upskill and expand your own knowledge. Second, you need to create those same opportunities for your team.
If you’re an entrepreneur or a part of the business community in Brampton, this is for you. Today, we’re going to go through:
- Channels of Continuous Learning
- Brampton’s Ecosystem of Innovation and Support
- Brampton Entrepreneur Centre
- Brampton Public Library
- Brampton Innovation District
- Brampton Board of Trade and Skills for Change
- Startup Accelerators
- Educational Institutes
- How to Create a Practical Strategy for Upskilling
Channels of Continuous Learning
Education, upskilling, learning – call it what you may – expanding your knowledge can look like many different things. Outside the realm of a degree or formal education through universities and colleges, it could be:
1. Books: Books are a timeless resource for continuous learning. Whether they are industry-specific texts, biographies of successful entrepreneurs, or guides on personal development, books are perfect for indulging yourself in intensely studying a new subject through an expert’s perspective. Reading also carries with it so many more benefits, like developing focus, retention skills, and critical thinking skills, which are much much needed in today’s instant gratification environment.
2. Podcasts: Podcasts are a convenient way to consume information and expand your knowledge base, especially for busy professionals. Today there’s a podcast for almost anything – from business and technology to personal development and innovation.
3. Workshops and Seminars: Workshops and seminars in relevant subjects provide a setting for a hands-on learning experience. These events also allow you to gain practical experience, ask questions, and receive feedback in real time.
4. Online Courses and Certifications: Platforms like Coursera, edX, and LinkedIn Learning offer various courses across various fields. These courses help you stay updated with industry trends, learn new skills, and gain certifications as you go!
5. Mentorship Programs: Connecting with mentors who have extensive industry experience can provide a wealth of insights and guidance on developing specific technical skills or competencies required in your field.
Brampton’s Ecosystem of Innovation and Support for Continuous Learning
Brampton is a firecracker of an ecosystem for startups, bursting with opportunities, resources, and support systems designed to propel new ventures to success. It’s got a host of innovative entrepreneurs, numerous collaborative spaces, lots of funding opportunities, a very supportive government and community, and top-notch education institutes. This means that the economy is practically run by new ideas, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of pushing boundaries—which would not be possible without ample opportunities to learn and grow.
Let’s take a look at all the places that can help you and your team continuously develop further:
1. Brampton Entrepreneur Centre (BEC):
BEC is a central source of information for anything related to small businesses. It offers a comprehensive range of services including business registration, market research assistance, and access to funding opportunities.
They also conduct regular workshops, seminars, and one-on-one mentoring sessions that cover essential business topics like vendor training, digital marketing, and financial management. The best part is that they’re all hyper customized to entrepreneurs who want to improve their business practices in Brampton.
Some of their upcoming seminars and events include; Starting a Food Business & Regulatory Compliance, Brampton Venture Expo, and Marketing Strategies for Non-Profits,
2. Brampton Public Library (BPL):
BPL has abundant resources for personal and professional development, including free access to online courses, certification programs, and career development resources.
Some of their workshops and resources include, Get Started with 3D Printing, Brampton Coffee ‘n’ Code, Get Started with TinkerCAD, and lots more!
3. Brampton Board of Trade:
With a membership at Brampton Board of Trade, you can get access to training programs, networking opportunities, and support services to empower individuals and businesses to innovate and grow. They provide a range of services, from employment counselling to skills training.
You can check out their Expert Webinar Series, Business Insight Series, or participate in their Energy and Environment Forum, Workforce Solutions Summit, and more.
4. Skills for Change:
Skills for Change helps newcomers and other underserved individuals access upskilling opportunities through its programs. These programs include the Bridge2Work Accounting/Finance and Health Informatics Program, the Newcomer Cybersecurity Talent Pod Course, and The Women in Skilled Trades, which are funded in part by Employment and Social Development Canada.
5. Startup Accelerators:
Brampton’s top accelerators, BHive and Ryerson Venture Zone, offer structured programs that provide resources and mentorship to startups. BHive and RVZ both regularly conduct business fundamental training seminars, with BHive focusing more on immigrant and newcomer entrepreneurs.
6. Educational Institutes:
Institutions like Sheridan College and Rogers Cybersecurity Catalyst offer programs focused on business, technology, and the arts, providing options for continuous learning and specialized training.
For example, Rogers Cybersecurity Catalyst is a favourite for groundbreaking cybersecurity training and certification programs, while Sheridan offers a selection of ‘Micro-Credentials’ ranging from Data Analyst to Python Web Developer to Virtual Production.
The best part about the above resources is that they are located in and around the Brampton Innovation District, so if you’re located nearby, you’re in luck! This district is the talk of the town, a hub for startups and tech companies, offering everything from infrastructure, to talent, to support needed to thrive. Because of its fantastic collection of tech startup-related organizations, you can find tailored programs and workshops that suit your requirements practically at arm’s length.
How to Create a Practical Strategy for Upskilling
So you’ve identified all the places to help you and your team stay updated on skills and knowledge. But what’s the best strategy to navigate this journey and ensure it’s sustainable and not just a one-off activity? Here are our recommendations:
1. Identify Skill Gaps: Begin by evaluating your team’s existing skills. Open an Excel sheet and list areas where additional training or knowledge is needed.
2. Set Clear Goals: Just because you’ve found a gap doesn’t mean your team can go from 0 to 100 with one workshop. Define specific, measurable goals for upskilling. This helps maintain focus and track progress.
3. Create a Learning Plan: Some skills might just need a workshop every three months, and some might need a six-month course. Some skills might be relevant to one department, while others could benefit the entire team. Develop a structured plan that outlines the learning activities, who they are for, the resources that match them, and timelines for each.
4. Leverage Available Resources: Physical workshops and programs may not suit everyone. Utilize the diverse range of resources available in Brampton. Spread them across online courses, micro-credentials at Sheridan, workshops at BEC, seminars at BPL, or one-off programs at startup accelerators.
5. Allocate Time and Budget: Ensure that time and budget are allocated for continuous learning activities. Many of the Brampton resources we listed above are free, so keep your eye out for those!
6. Encourage a Learning Culture: Ensure that your team understands and appreciates the culture of continuous learning that you are encouraging. Communicate and educate them on the benefits so that they don’t feel burdened by the experience.
7. Monitor and Adjust: Of course, you should regularly review the progress of your Learning Plan and make necessary adjustments to your strategy.
Want to Start a Business in Canada?
We are BHive, a startup incubator located in Brampton, Ontario. We offer international startups the tools, resources, and space to establish – and quickly scale – their businesses in Canada and North America. To apply to our Global Entrepreneur Incubation Program, click here!