The Company Program offers students a chance to develop their own business as an extracurricular activity. They are coached by business consultants over 24 weeks throughout all stages of creating and running of their business up to the point of liquidity (business plan, financing, human resources, production, sales, etc.)
(access to the registration form at the bottom of the page)
The Company Program is offered as an after-school program at the following Centers:
Ahuntsic College
9155 Rue St-Hubert, Montreal, QC H2M 1Y8
Jean-de-Brébeuf College
3200 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC H3T 1C1
Stanislas College
780 Boulevard Dollard, Outremont, QC H2V 3G5
Durocher College
857 Rue Riverside, Saint-Lambert, QC J4P 1C2
Montmorency College
475 Boulevard de l’Avenir, Laval, QC H7N 5H9
This program is also offered directly in the curriculum in some schools, with instruction by teachers and volunteers from the business community.
2171 Boulevard Maurice, Saint-Jerome, QC J7Y 4M7
1275 rue Jarry Est, Montréal, QC H2P 1W9
3791, chemin Queen Mary, Montréal (Québec) H3V 1A8
1055 116e Rue, Saint-Georges, Qc G5Y 3G1
3535 Boulevard Rosemont, Montreal, QC H1X 1K7
901 Saint Louis Street, Terrebonne, Qc J6W 1K1
1000 Bd de l’Avenir, Laval, QC H7N 6J6
4901 Rue du Collège – Beaubois, Pierrefonds, QC H8Y 3T4
Module 1 – Starting off on the right foot
- Team standards
- Being creative and innovative
- Coming up with ideas for products or services
- Startup
Module 2 – Defining the Project
- Team building
- Elections
- Feasibility and market studies
- Company name, mission, and objectives
- Creating a prototype (competition)*
- Pricing the product/service (break-even point)
- Planning
- Issuing shares
Module 3 – Building the Business
- Developing leadership skills
- Responsibilities of the executive team
- Making a job application form
- Administering meetings
- Opening a bank account
- Developing a business plan
- Understanding financial statements
- Preparing for board meetings
- Production
- Creating a logo (competition)*
- Presentation – sales pitches (competition)*
Module 4 – Managing Operations
- Business ethics
- Understanding the law
- Running the business (production, communication, information technology)
- Quality assurance and successful companies
- Preparing annual reports
- Summary
- Winding up the company
* Students are also given the chance to participate in additional activities including presentations made at businesses, simulated stock trading, an entrepreneurship conference, a trade fair and an awards gala.
Program Objectives
With the support and guidance of business teachers and volunteer advisors from the local business community, the JA Quebec Company Program gives participating students the knowledge to organise and operate a real business. Students learn about the risks and rewards that come with owning a business and learn how to build positive relationships with the community.
In operating their business, participants sell shares, produce and market a product or service, and appoint a management team that best suits their company. They also learn to maintain and analyse financial records to help them establish and monitor production and sales goals throughout the program.
Additional Activities
On top of the mentorship they receive from business advisors while creating their company, students may also participate in additional activities where they can develop other skills.
- Presenting their project in a business setting to receive constructive criticism.
- Participating in a stock market simulation.
- Participating in a trade show where they sell their company’s products.
- Participating in the annual JA Quebec young entrepreneurs conference, the largest francophone conference in North America, dedicated to young entrepreneurs aged 16 to 18, which offers them the opportunity to participate in stock market simulations, team-building activities, and friendly business plan development competitions.
- Participating in the end-of-year gala, which recognises outstanding students.
Key Outcomes
- Discover the risks and rewards of starting a business
- Systematically solve actual business challenges
- Demonstrate the importance of ethical standards in business
- Foster positive relationships between youth and business communities
- Learn about incorporation and capitalise by selling shares
- Impart understanding of teamwork and responsibility
- Produce and market a product or service
- Gather data, evaluate alternatives and develop a plan
- Make effective sales pitches and presentations
I loved the experience of creating a real business! I learned so much and realised that I want to pursue management studies and become a business owner.
Mathis T.
Student
Students leave this program more grown up than when they began. For many of them, it’s an opportunity to make a career choice and to determine the course of studies they will pursue. The impact is so positive! I think all Quebec youth should take part!
Nathalie G.
Teacher
This program is extraordinary for young people! They are creative and dynamic; it’s stimulating to be able to help train the next generation.
Sylvain M.
Volunteer-mentor
Are you a teacher or school principal? Are you a professional and want share your experience with young people? Does your company want to help prepare the professionals and business leaders of tomorrow? We offer you the opportunity to give local students a unique experience and help the reach their full potential.
For any questions about our Company Program, please contact Jordan Madore, Company Program Coordinator, at jmadore@jaquebec.org or 514-285-8944, ext.103.
If you would like to become a volunteer/mentor for our Company Program, sign up here
Thanks for supporting JA QUEBEC! Your gift will provide thousands of young with the tools they need to make smart financial decisions, develop a career path, and even start a business.