Learning
Experiences

Building a wide range of skills
and nurturing self-belief

Grades 9 to 12

Become a partner

JA Central Ontario prepares youth for life, for meaningful work, and for an opportunity to do good in the world. We help young people go from saying ‘I can’t’ to ‘I can’ through our immersive, digitally-enabled learning experiences. 

Students learn practical skills like budgeting, saving and starting a business - but they also learn adaptability, creativity, problem-solving and a host of interpersonal tools too. They also meet industry experts and mentors - adult allies who can help them envision their future.

We’re all about skill building – minus sleeping through the boring parts. Because with JA, there are no boring parts.

Please note

We’re experiencing high demand for JA Central Ontario learning experiences. We’re working to accommodate as many classes and students as possible, however there are a limited number of spaces available for each JA program.

When you register below, a member of the JA team will reach out promptly to discuss the availability and timing of your chosen learning experience.

Ideation Bootcamp

PITCH YOUR VISION

GRADES 9 TO 12

Students will develop and test new business ideas in an environment that celebrates creativity and innovation.

Students will:

  • Understand the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation in today’s society and economy
  • Develop the mindset and skillset needed to be an entrepreneur
  • Generate, develop and pitch an innovative idea, and evaluate the feasibility and competitiveness of a new venture
  • Discover the risks and rewards of starting a business

Fall Semester Dates

  • Teacher Training: September 28th, 4:00 - 5:00 pm (recording available)
  • Program Starts: Week of October 2 or October 9
  • Business Plans Due: December 1
  • Virtual Pitch Competition: January 11, 2024
Personal Finance

PERSONAL FINANCE

GRADES 9 TO 12

Students will develop money management skills in spending, budgeting, saving and using credit that will set them up for success in their careers and future finances.

Students will:

  • Understand the importance of emergency savings funds
  • Create a monthly budget
  • Make informed decisions about credit cards and loans
  • Learn how to recognize potential risks to personal finances
Investment Strategies Program

INVESTMENT STRATEGIES PROGRAM

GRADES 9 TO 12

Students will learn how to apply critical investing principles and experience real-world trading on the stock market through a simulation that uses live data from North American stock markets.

Students will:

  • Understand the pros and cons of different investments
  • Identify the advantages and disadvantages of various securities
  • Compete against other Canadian teams in an online stock market simulation

The next Investment Strategies Program competition will run from October 3rd to November 3rd, 2023.

The following competition will run from December 4 2023 to January 19th 2024.

Titan

Job Shadow

GRADES 9 TO 12

Students are introduced to the process of planning for their career and learn about the steps to getting hired.

Students will:

  • Identify the next steps needed in their personal career preparation and planning
  • Identify current personal strengths and skills, and identify skills needed for future employment
  • Learn how to develop a personal brand
  • Learn about different career opportunities, and listen to insights from industry professionals
  • Develop job hunting skills such as interviewing skills
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CAREER ACCELERATOR

GRADES 9 TO 12

This two-year learning experience empowers high school students as they begin to plan future careers. Throughout the two years, students will take part in a variety of exciting events, programs, scholarships and internship opportunities.

The next Career Accelerator experience begins in Fall 2023.

Students will:

  • Strengthen their self-confidence and self-image through
    experiential learning
  • Develop key soft skills needed to be successful in the Canadian workforce including critical thinking, collaboration and creativity
  • Connect with mentors to explore post-secondary options and learn what life is like after high school
  • Gain insight into the world of work by job shadowing business professionals
  • Learn how to network and create a strong personal brand
  • Understand the importance of mental health in a work context
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“I don’t think I would have had half the confidence in running my own business if it weren’t for JA. I’ve applied real skills I’ve learned from the program- like drop shipping- into my business, and used the soft skills I’ve gained such as public speaking to grow my brand.”

SANJANA, JA COMPANY PROGRAM STUDENT

Company program

COMPANY PROGRAM

Grade 9-12

Students will learn how to manage a business from start to finish – from developing a business plan to producing a product and assessing profits. They will interact with customers and investors, handle money and meet deadlines.

Students will:

  • Gain hands-on enterprise experience
  • Learn how to work as a team
  • experience real-world problem solving
  • Navigate innovation processes and design thinking

Learning Experiences FAQ