Connecting rural industry leaders with the next generation

The missing piece to rural Canada's economic growth

TORONTO, Oct. 9, 2014 /CNW/ - For an educated and underemployed millennial generation, rural Canada represents an untapped land of opportunity. Home to the world's most innovative and emerging industries, rural areas struggle to engage and highlight the diversity of career potential for young people in local industries. A MoneySense 2014 ranking of Canadian cities indicated that rural areas consistently show higher rates of employment than their urban counterparts. Yet, the same survey also reveals that half of rural communities' youth plan to move to an urban centre. A third of those youth who've already migrated have no intention of moving back.

A recent Deloitte Millennial study found that 90% of millennials feel that the largest barrier facing their generation is a lack of opportunities, including education, career development, and training. With only 15-20% of jobs being advertised, it is more important than ever for industry leaders and the next generation to build their network as word-of-mouth is the most effective way to secure a job.

Fortunately, with the help of TenThousandCoffees.com - a 21st century mentorship website connecting industry leaders with the next generation - opportunities are more easily discovered in areas that young people may never have considered.

TenThousandCoffees.com founder and Lively, Ontario native Dave Wilkin will be in Sudbury, Ontario on Friday, October 10, 2014 speaking to prominent industry leaders, government officials, students, and young professionals about how the Ten Thousand Coffees movement will help the next generation discover opportunity they otherwise may have never known existed, all over coffee. Wilkin will also be discussing how his rural Sudbury, Ontario roots have been the critical foundation to launching a global technology company.

"Sudbury and other rural regions are the best kept secret for the millennial generation needing opportunity. It is an unknown hub of economic growth and I hope the greater Sudbury area becomes a role model for other rural communities in Canada and around the world," said Wilkin, "TenThousandCoffees.com is the tool industry leaders need to connect with the next generation."

Wilkin will be available for in person and over the phone interviews in Toronto, ON on Thursday October 9th and in Sudbury, ON on Friday, October 10th. Additional industry leaders, academia, and government spokespeople are available upon request.

About Ten Thousand Coffees
TenThousandCoffees.com connects the leaders of today with the leaders of tomorrow to share ideas, unlock insights and co-create what's next, all over coffee conversations.

A website built by a team of millennial experts on a mission to empower organizations, industry professionals, academia, and government to connect with the next generation through meaningful, thought-provoking conversations. From CEOs to astronauts to small business owners, thousands of conversations are happening, resulting in the discovery of new opportunities, creation of companies, and helping the leaders of today harness the power of the next generation.

SOURCE: Ten Thousand Coffees

Grace Johnson, [email protected], Mobile - 905.464.1084, Office - 647.258.8606; Sophia Zhang, [email protected], Mobile - 647-961-8883, Office - 647.258.8606