Lac La Biche, AB – Portage College’s Business program at the Lac La Biche campus recently hosted a series of guest speaker sessions as part of Business Communications II, a course within the Business Administration Certificate program, providing students with direct exposure to real-world business practices and local entrepreneurship.
Students had the opportunity to learn from four local business leaders who visited classes on January 13 and January 15:
- Devin Tardiff, Home Hardware
- Darren Hapner, The Stitchin’ Man
- David Shultz, Window Washing Warriors
- Gail Broadbent, Gail J. Broadbent Professional Corporation
Each speaker shared insights from their entrepreneurial journeys, offering students practical perspectives on business start-up, marketing, financial management, communication, and adapting to the evolving business environment. The sessions allowed students to connect classroom concepts with authentic business experiences rooted in the local community.
“These sessions give our students valuable exposure to real-world business practices, helping them see how classroom knowledge translates into practical applications,” said Stephanie, Instructor, Business at Portage College. “By incorporating diverse approaches to learning, students are better able to connect foundational concepts with real-world application. Guest presenters shared candid insights into their businesses, including challenges and vulnerabilities not typically found in textbooks.”
The guest speakers highlighted how Portage College’s Business programming supports the community by creating real-world learning opportunities, offering Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) experiences, and maintaining flexibility that reflects the realities of today’s business landscape. Through real-world case studies and open discussion, students were able to observe how entrepreneurs communicate in practice and apply their learning across multiple areas of the program.
During the sessions, speakers also provided constructive feedback on ways to further enhance student learning. Suggestions included increasing accessibility to courses and programs outside of daytime hours, expanding integrated learning opportunities to stay current with real-world practices, and creating more opportunities for job-shadowing experiences. Several businesses also expressed interest in allowing students to work with real company data to help connect course content with practical business scenarios.
Through initiatives such as these guest speaker sessions, Portage College continues to strengthen its connections with the local business community while preparing students with the skills, confidence, and practical experience needed to succeed in the workforce. The Business program at the Lac La Biche campus emphasizes applied learning and community engagement, ensuring graduates are well prepared to contribute meaningfully to regional economic growth.