Youth Businesses
Our award-winning youth business program engages youth, ages 14 to 18, in six businesses
that are designed to provide them with opportunities to learn while they earn modest stipends
based on attendance. OPP operates six youth businesses with work activities of interest to
youth, and combine occupational and life skills training, such as interpersonal skills,
personal finance, teamwork and leadership. OPP youth businesses are aligned with the future
workforce needs of the region.
I learned how
to be more responsible and how to make boats, flutes, drums, and write a news story. It's a
new experience and one I would return back to.
Mario Rojas
Young people are an intricate part of each operation. Each OPP youth business is staffed with a team of caring adults including a Youth Business Manager who may be the ‘content expert’ and an Integrated Learning Specialist, who embeds life skills training and workplace readiness into the program. A Youth Assistant, an older youth who serves as a peer role model, is often engaged as well.
