Commerce

Commerce enables young people to develop the knowledge, understanding, skills and values that form the foundation on which they can make sound decisions about consumer, financial, legal, business and employment issues. It develops in students the ability to research information, apply problem-solving strategies and evaluate options in order to make informed and responsible decisions as individuals and as part of the community.

Commerce may be studied for 100-hour or 200-hours. Satisfactory completion of Commerce will be recorded with a grade on the student’s Record of School Achievement.

All students study Consumer Choice and Personal Finance. In these topics they learn about making responsible spending, saving, borrowing and investment decisions.

Students will also study Legal and Employment Issues, in which they will develop an understanding of their legal rights and responsibilities and how laws affect individuals and regulate society. They also learn about commercial and legal aspects relating to employment issues, and their rights and responsibilities at work.

Students will also study optional topics selected from: Investing; Promoting and Selling; E-Commerce; Global Links; Towards Independence; Political Involvement; Travel; Law in Action; Our Economy; Community Participation; Running a Business; and a School-developed option.

Student learning in Commerce will promote critical thinking and the opportunity to participate in the community. Students learn to identify, research and evaluate options when making decisions on how to solve consumer problems and issues that confront consumers. They will develop research and communication skills, including the use of ICT, that build on the skills they have developed in their mandatory courses.

They will also develop skills in personal financial management and advocacy for rights and responsibilities in the workplace.