Students at Weyburn Comprehensive School are once again getting some hands-on work in the business field. The Entrepreneurship 30 course, in accordance with Junior Achievement Saskatchewan, has been offered and taught since 2014 by Margot Arnold. 

Every year a new batch of students tries their hand in the business world and learns new skills that they otherwise would never have been taught in regular classes. Arnold says it can be a lot of information.

"We look at what an entrepreneur is. What traits and characteristics make up an enterprising entrepreneur. We look at the difference between opportunities and ideas and things like that," the business educator said. "They get a good understanding of what entrepreneurship is and what entrepreneurs do."

"Then they brainstorm an idea to come up, as a class, for a business that they can start from the idea stage right through until the end. It has a lot of different aspects," Arnold explained. 

The students learn everything from business startups, costs and advertising, board meetings, customer service, shareholders, to dissolving the company at the end of the semester.

It's an interesting skill set the students pick up and it prepares them for real-world situations. Based on all this and more, Arnold says the feedback she receives every year is outstanding.

"It's such a different class than what they may be used to. It's all hands on and they get to experience what running a business is all about," she said.

It's a program that has been very successful not only locally, but provincially as well as nationally. In the springtime, the Junior Achievers of Saskatchewan does case competitions as well as hands out awards for the best business ideas. In the past, two companies that were created by students at the Comp have gone on to win provincial and national awards. Presidents of those companies have also been recognized across Canada and in Saskatchewan as well.  

With some definite success being produced here in Weyburn, Arnold says many of her students have gone on to business schools or other endeavours. She explains some of them had no idea they would want a career in business before taking her class.

"The President of one of our national winners is in business out in Vancouver. The President of one of my companies is at the Edwards School of Business — and she didn't know before this class [what she wanted to do]. I have a President who's attending university in Edmonton and he's doing very well," Arnold said.

As the teacher, she finds those success stories rewarding. But aside from those Arnold says there is always something to be proud of every semester in the course. 

"It's very enjoyable to see the growth of individuals," she said. "To see the learning that takes place and the impact of their decisions is rewarding. I enjoy, as a facilitator, I guess I could call myself, as they make all the decisions in a risk-free environment."

This year is the biggest crop of young entrepreneurs yet. With two classes this semester and another scheduled for next term, it's the first time Entrepreneurship 30 has had three classes in a year. This semester, the classes have broken into three separate companies: King Street Fudge, Essential Solutions, and Prairie Dough. 

Students have real funds they manage and actually sell their product in the community. Every year they donate a portion of their net income to charities of their choice.

"We always, always give back to the community. They pick a charity that is important to them and donate 10 percent to that charity or more," Arnold noted. "To date, it will be upwards of $8,000 that has been donated back, which I'm really proud of."