Volunteering with JA’s Company Program

What is Junior Achievement?

JA Nova Scotia provides hands-on experiential learning in the classroom and through extra- curricular activities. Programs focus on three educational pillars: financial literacy, workplace readiness, and entrepreneurship. JA recruits volunteers from the business community to collaborate on the delivery of programs, which exposes students to real world business perspectives and ideas.

What is the Company Program?

The Company Program creates an environment for working professionals to coach Grade 9- 12 students to run their own business and experience the excitement and future career potential in entrepreneurship. It is designed to encourage them to recognize the value of responsible business practices and increase their awareness of the skills and resources required to operate a business. This is not a fictional or paper exercise – the students form a real company! The program runs for 18 weeks and involves a few weekend events.

How can you participate?

Each Company Program requires a team of three to four volunteer advisors who assist the company with everything from capitalization and product selection to liquidation. The advisor’s role is not to make decisions for the students, but to provide guidance, share their experiences, and to keep the students on track. To become involved all you need is a basic knowledge of business and a desire to work with teenagers. A police records check is required.

What are the benefits of volunteering with the Company Program for you?

Ask any Junior Achievement volunteer, and they will tell you: “You gain far more than you give.” The Company Program gives advisors the personal satisfaction of helping young people clarify their personal goals and reach their potential. The entire experience is fun for both the Achievers and the advisors!

What are the benefits of volunteering with the Company Program for business?

For the business community, Junior Achievement provides a vehicle through which the work ethic, free enterprise, and basic business understanding can be promoted. By investing in Junior Achievement, the business community recognizes and supports JA’s practical demonstration of the role of free enterprise in Canadian society.

The program will start the week of October 15th and be held each week for 18 weeks ending in March 2019. JA will provide training, program materials and support during the program year. This is a much-needed program to inspire entrepreneurial thinking in our youth.

For more information about the Company Program contact: Courtney Connor at Junior Achievement of Nova Scotia Phone 902-818-1290

Email: cconnor@janovascotia.caWebsite: www.janovascotia.ca

Note: This program would count for PD Hours under the Participation category.