The fall semester Young Entrepreneur Program (YEP) offered at the Small Business Development Center hosted by College of the Canyons will officially begin with a special kickoff event Thursday, Sept. 15, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center.

Targeting young people between the ages of 14 and 27, YEP offers business consulting and business training programs delivered through a variety of outreach and delivery methods, including websites, blogs, social networking sites, virtual reality games, youth-oriented trainers and business simulation products.

The goal of the program is to guide and encourage young people to consider careers in self-employment and small business ownership, along with developing management and problem solving skills that will assist them in any future career path.

This fall’s YEP program will again feature trips to businesses that will allow young entrepreneurs to see first hand the vast opportunities and many challenges entrepreneurs face in today’s business climate.

“We are excited to be able to once again bring the SBDC’s highly successful Young Entrepreneur Program to young, business-minded students and entrepreneurs throughout our surrounding communities,” said SBDC director Steve Tannehill. “Last semester alone our YEP program reached more than 450 young entrepreneurs who took advantage of this valuable program by participating in a wide variety of events, workshops and business field trips.”

Last month, the Business Entrepreneurship Center (BEC) hosted by Cuesta College and the California Community Colleges’ Economic and Workforce Development Program (EWD) announced their renewed support of the SBDC’s ongoing YEP program for the fall 2011 semester.

This continued level of support will allow the SBDC to continue offering its YEP program to students throughout Northern Los Angeles County free of charge.

Assuming leadership responsibilities of the YEP program this semester is new program coordinator Diana Meyer.

Meyer takes over the position from senior SBDC business advisor Nina Grooms-Lee who is focusing her energies on working with technology startups as part of a recent grant the SBDC was awarded to help assist technology businesses.

“Helping young people to create the types of small businesses that lead to economic opportunity and job creation in our communities is yet another way in which the SBDC hosted at College of the Canyons is assisting in the economic development of this region,” said Meyer. “I am excited to join the SBDC’s team of business advisors and look forward to delivering actionable information to teens and young adults interested in entrepreneurship.”

To register to attend the YEP kick-off event visit the SBDC website listed below and click on the calendar of events tab. Then, locate the YEP event listing and complete the online registration form. Attendees may also register at the door on the day of the event.

For more information about the SBDC hosted by College of the Canyons or the fall 2011 Young Entrepreneurs Program, contact the SBDC at (661) 362-5900 or sbdc@canyons.edu, or visit www.cocsbdc.org.