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
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 February 27th to April 6th, 2023

Titan

Titan

GRADES 9 TO 12

Students will learn how to create and run a sustainable and successful business using a virtual simulation. As the CEO of their company, they must create a business strategy and succeed in a highly competitive industry.

Students will:

  • Make critical production, staffing and capital investment decisions
  • Solve marketing and pricing challenges
  • Create and achieve business goals

The next Titan competition will run in Spring 2023

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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
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Educational Events

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Career Discovery series

Online, interactive events that bring together industry professionals who share tips and insights to inspire students' as they plan future careers.

World of Choices

Students participate in hands-on, out-of-the-classroom learning experiences to learn all about career choices from industry experts.

Learning Experiences FAQ