Portage College Business Administration students in Cold Lake gained hands-on experience in the marketing world through a new partnership with the Rural Alberta Business Centre (RABC).

17 marketing students were matched up with seven different local businesses. Over the course of four months they worked with those businesses to create a marketing plan. This unique learning experience was mutually beneficial to both students and businesses they worked with.

Orbiting Trends was one of the lucky businesses chosen. They presented their business and challenges to the students which provided the owners the chance to have their venture looked at from a different perspective. The students were detailed in their questions and with the in-store survey they completed with customers.

Once the project was complete, students presented their analysis and final report to the owners.

"They exceeded all of our expectations," says Susan White Executive Director of Dr. Margaret Savage Crisis Centre/Orbiting Trends. "The survey confirmed information we suspected and really gave us a clear idea who our target market is and where we should be focusing our marketing."

"Using this unique learning experience to supplement formal learning with experiential application while contributing to our community is the premise of service-learning," said instructor Bev Lockett.

"Portage College is looking forward to continuing this collaboration during the winter semester of the 2016-2017 academic year," says Nancy Broadbent, Executive Vice President Academic, "We always encourage mutually beneficial experiences to both students and businesses."

Interested businesses can contact Kathryn Hotte, Business Advisor, Rural Alberta Business Centre, or Bev Lockett, Business Instructor, Portage College.