by Maria Driscoll

The SandWave Virtual Business Practice Firm opened its doors on April 2 in Charlottetown and already two participants have found full-time work. The official opening and launch of SandWave was celebrated today by the Honourable Pat Binns, Premier of Prince Edward Island; Shawn Murphy, Member of Parliament for Hillsborough; Mayor George MacDonald, City of Charlottetown; Mamdouh Elgharib, UPEI Career Development Specialist; and Dr. Brian McMillan, Executive Director of Program Operations at Holland College.

SandWave is one of approximately 3,500 virtual business firms around the world. The top priority of the Firm is to assist its participants in finding actual employment. Since the Firm originated in Europe about 50 years ago, thousands of unemployed and underemployed individuals throughout the country have benefited from this initiative by updating their skills and gaining practical work experience while actively looking for employment.

"Our government is committed to ensuring that all Islanders are afforded life-long learning opportunities. Our support of SandWave is consistent with that approach," stated Premier Pat Binns.

Located in the former Holland College Royalty Centre, SandWave gives participants the opportunity to update existing skills and to acquire new ones. Currently there are 13 participants working at SandWave in the areas of office administration, purchasing, marketing, graphic design, and payroll/accounting.

"The Government of Canada is pleased to provide the funding to this extremely innovative and worthwhile project," said Shawn Murphy, MP for Hillsborough, on behalf of the Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of Human Resources Development Canada. "The world of work is competitive and changing so rapidly that we must learn to pursue new methods of acquiring the skills and experience that are essential in today's job market."

Practice Firms function like a real business enterprise, interacting with a closed network of the other Practice Firms around the world. The 'business' of the Practice Firm is based on the promotion of sponsors' business products. SandWave is marketing products from three Island firms: preserves and sauces from the PEI Preserve Co.; Royal Doulton products from Precious Memories; and figurines from Cavendish Figurines. These products are marketed mainly through catalogue sales generated through the virtual firm network.

"UPEI is pleased to be a partner in bringing this innovative learning opportunity to the Island," says UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan. "The virtual practice firm will reinforce what people have learned with hands-on practice in a business setting."

Dr. Brian McMillan, Executive Director of Program Operations at Holland College commented on SandWave's success to date. "In just 3 weeks, two participants have found employment through this program, one working on the Island and another in Victoria, British Columbia. Re-entering the job market after only a few weeks of preparation speaks highly to the quality of the program, the instructors and the participants."