Career Options Magazine

There are plenty of programs available to high school students across Canada—here is a small sample of the supports available to budding Canadian entrepreneurs:

• Junior Achievement: This Canada-wide non-profit program helps high school students build the skills needed to become entrepreneurs. Along with financial literacy and preparing for the workforce, students develop business skills through several different programs, such as Company Program, where high school students develop their own venture with the help of mentors. Junior Achievement programs are free for students, and they also offer over $500,000 in scholarships and awards across Canada. Learn more at jacan.org
• Ontario HS Business Major: Ontario schools offer a “SHSM”—specialist high skills major—in business, where students can learn a wide range of skills related to their profession of choice. Grade 11 and 12 students take a bundle of courses in their stream of choice: apprenticeship, college, university or entry-level workplace. Along with credits in English and Math, students also take four business credits and two co-op credits. There are courses available to help aspiring entrepreneurs, such as “Entrepreneurship: Venture Planning in an Electronic Age,” “Business Leadership: Management Fundamentals” and “Accounting for a Small Business.” Check with your guidance office to see if the Business Major is available at your school or visit edu.gov.on.ca/morestudentsuccess/program.html#business
• Manitoba High School Investment Competition: This competition for high school students is held by the University of Manitoba’s Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship. Students present their real businesses to local business professionals. There are awards for Best Written Plan, Best Tradeshow, Best Elevator Pitch and Best Logo, among others. Past prizes have included $2,000 scholarships, iPads and laptops. Learn more at http://bit.ly/OnOnjO
• Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneur Camp: This camp for Grade 11 and 12 Aboriginal students is hosted by the First Nations University of Canada in Regina. For one week, students learn about entrepreneurship and small business management—including skills in marketing, business plans, networking and cash flow projections. There are also activities such as shooting a commercial, meeting top Aboriginal entrepreneurs and competing for prizes. Learn more at entrepreneurcamp.ca
• SAGE Canada: Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) is a program run for high schoolers by students at Ryerson University. It is part of “an international network that links high school students with opportunities to make the world a better place by creating and implementing innovative projects.” SAGE offers workshops and competitions, and provides students with real-world experience. More information is available at sagecanada.com
• BDC E-Spirit awards: These business plan awards are presented to Aboriginal high school students from across Canada by the Business Development Bank of Canada. Students are exposed to entrepreneurship and the possibilities of the Internet when developing new ventures. The winners of last year’s competition were a group of students from Winnipeg who created a business to sell affordable Aboriginal craft kits. More information about the awards is available at http://bit.ly/TGsVrd
• Ask your guidance counselor if there are opportunities to learn more about entrepreneurship in your area!