Calling all Halton students: be your own boss this summer

For the eighth consecutive year, Halton Region’s Business Development Centre is giving students an opportunity to be their own boss and earn cash rewards with the Summer Company program. The provincial program, coordinated locally through the Halton Region Business Development Centre, provides hands-on business training and mentoring to help students start and run their own summer businesses. 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.

The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, April 30, 2008. The competitive program has limited spaces and students are encouraged to complete their application early. The 2008 guidelines and online application can be found at www.summercompany.ca.

“The Summer Company program provides an excellent introduction to entrepreneurship,” says Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “It gives students an opportunity to learn valuable skills, like business planning, time management, sales and marketing techniques, and also helps to build self-confidence. It is this combination of skills and confidence that will give students a strong advantage in negotiating today’s competitive business world.”

Applicants accepted to the program will receive support from volunteer business mentors in the Halton community who will meet regularly with the students to provide support and advice.

Landscaping, deck building, window washing, boat detailing and a book store are just some of the successful enterprises developed from past Summer Company participants in Halton.

Students interested in applying to the Summer Company program must be between the ages of 15 and 29 and must provide proof that they will be returning to school in the fall.

Assistance completing the applications, including preparing a business plan, is available through the Halton Region Business Development Centre at 905-825-6000, toll free 1-866-4HALTON, TTY 905-825-9833 or go to www.halton.ca/business.

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