What's New
High School Students Compete in Business at OAC Reach Ahead Event
February 16, 2012
Is an investment in renewable energy a viable business decision? How would you expand the product line for a local producer? What is the best distribution strategy for a product that is fragile and semi-perishable? More than 200 high school students from across south-western Ontario will visit the University of Guelph on February 21, 2012 to compete in OAC’s Business Reach Ahead Case Study Competition. And there’s a cash prize for the best answer.
The students, all of whom are in Business Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs, will analyze a traditional food business case from one of three perspectives, including marketing, financial management and distribution strategy. They will present recommendations to a panel of judges that includes faculty, graduate students and alumni. Educational prizes totalling $2,000 will be awarded to top-placing teams.
The day-long event provides the students with an opportunity to preview post-secondary education, while gaining insight into business careers across diverse agriculture and food related sectors. It has been designed to highlight the Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics (FARE), part of the University of Guelph’s renowned Ontario Agricultural College (OAC). The Ontario Ministry of Education’s SHSM program allows Grade 11 and 12 students to focus on a particular economic sector to prepare for post-secondary education, apprenticeship training or employment.
“OAC welcomes the opportunity to support the high skills major program through the Reach Ahead Competitions,” said Jonathan Schmidt, OAC associate dean (academic). “We look forward to hosting these students and teachers at our Guelph campus and helping them learn about exciting education and career opportunities in the important business of food, agriculture and resource economics.”
A total of 14 high schools will participate in the competition, representing nine school boards: Dufferin Peel Catholic, Durham, Halton Catholic, Peel, Simcoe County, Toronto, Upper Grand, Wellington Catholic and York Region.
