Youth Entrepreneur programs in Halton are delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade 
.
Halton's Small Business Centre has business planning and other business start-up resources to assist youth who are applying for these programs. A Business Consultant is also available to provide resources to area teachers and conduct in-class presentations on youth entrepreneurship and other business topics.
Summer Company Program 2010
The Summer Company program provides hands-on business training and mentoring - together with awards of up to $3,000 - to help enterprising students between the ages of 15-29 start and run their own summer business. Summer Company 2010 is now closed for new applications.
The Small Business Centre co-ordinates the program locally, and delivers it with the help of volunteer business advisors from the community. Successful applicants receive up to $1,500 in the spring to help with business start-up costs, and up to $1,500 in the fall upon successful completion of their Summer Company experience.
Meet our Mentors!
In addition to awards of up to $3,000, students in the Summer Company program have the opportunity to work with members of the local business community who volunteer their time to provide guidance and inspiration. Our students are fortunate to have the following mentors on their side this year:
- Paul de Burger, Halton Region Business Development
- Margaret Gaskell, Halton Region Business Development
- Liz Kush, RBC Royal Bank
- Sunjay Nath, Spetha Inc.
- Enette Pauze, Speaker, Author, Coach
- Sherril Wright, RBC Royal Bank
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Ontario Secondary School Business Plan Competition
Win up to $1,000 for your business plan! The Halton Region Small Business Centre holds an annual business plan competition for secondary school students across Halton. This competition is offered through partnership and sponsorship by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.
The Business Plan Competition gives Ontario secondary school students an excellent opportunity to explore the world of entrepreneurship. Students can submit a business plan for a real business they intend to start, or just an idea for one. The information package (
50KB) includes the guidelines, judging criteria and the submission form required to be completed by all participants . The entries will be judged by a panel of program sponsors and business leaders according to the judging criteria in the information package. RBC Royal Bank is Halton's generous local sponsor of the cash awards for the competition - a total of $3,000 is awarded to students who place for the top 5 business plans submitted.
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Future Entrepreneurs
Future Entrepreneurs is a program that introduces an entrepreneurial mind-set and skills to students in Grades 7 to 10. It is a voluntary and interactive curriculum teachers can use to:
- Raise awareness of entrepreneurship as a viable career option;
- Help students develop the attributes and skills associated with entrepreneurs including creativity, innovation, self-confidence, planning and risk-taking; and
- Motivate students to pursue further study, exploration and consideration of entrepreneurship.
Resource kits are available to teachers and school career planning staff through the Small Business Centre. Contact us to request your copy.
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Additional Youth Business Information
- Halton Industry Education Council (HIEC) is a joint venture between industry, education and community partners in Halton. The organization is non-profit. Their goal to enhance career education and create the best opportunities for youth. HIEC's programs include a Career Centre, www.apprenticesearch.com , Passport to Prosperity, School to Career and the Halton Apprenticeship Advisory Council. E-mail HIEC for more information.
- Junior Achievement provides business with the opportunity to help shape the educational programs that will ultimately yield future generations of employees, suppliers and consumers. Their mission is to inspire and educate the youth of Halton Region to value free enterprise, understand business and economics and develop entrepreneurial and leadership skills. The support and involvement from the Halton business community is needed to keep Junior Achievement strong in our community.
- Bay Area Engineering and Science Fair McMaster University in Hamilton on March 24 - 27, 2010.
- Halton Skills Competition was held on April 8, 2009 at T.A. Blakelock High School in Oakville. Students competed on a wide range of skills, including: video production, cabinet making, Lego robotics, welding, floristry, and auto collision repair. Competitors were given a challenge on their practical skill and a fixed amount of time to complete the task. Judging was based on completion time, workmanship, correct safety procedures and industry standards.
- Halton Region Public Libraries offer youth services and events to help explore or get started on youth small business ventures:
- Online Databases (17KB) - The public libraries of Halton Region offer many services to support small business owners and operators. Among those services are free online databases.
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Additional Youth Business Websites
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