If you're a high school student in Dufferin County, your chance to prove your entrepreneurial skills is here with the Business Plan Competition run by the Orangeville and Area Small Business Enterprise Centre.

The deadline to enter isn't until June 2, however coordinator Ruth Phillips says the sooner you begin working on your plan, through planning and thinking, the better as it will take some effort. She also said if you do this, you will have a better chance of being successful.

The goal of the competition is to encourage young people to think about entrepreneurship as a viable career option.

The competition gives students the experience of planning a small business, learning the aspects of running it and the opportunity to see if it's possible in a safe environment.

Although the business students come up with doesn't have to be a real company they want to operate, some students go on to the summer program, where they do start up their idea.

Students can enter as individuals or as a team with up to four members.

Once the deadline has passed, a panel of judges (business people in the community) will evaluate the plans based on set criteria and will select the top 10 plans. Those winners will be honoured in a ceremony in late June or early July.

TD Commercial Banking is sponsoring the competition this year and is providing cash awards to the winners.

First place will receive $1,000, second place is $500, third is $250 and the remaining will be up to $50.

The first place winner will also be moving onto the regional and provincial competition, which takes place during the same time in early November.

If you would like to enter the competition, you can contact Ruth Phillips at 941-0440 ext. 291 or you can e-mail her at rphillips@orangeville.ca.