17 November 2006
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Junior Achievement (JA) continues to grow in Newfoundland
and Labrador and is increasing the number of programs
delivered to high school students across the province. The
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) has given the
group a boost with an investment of $91,050 to enable
Junior Achievement to expand its programs to more schools. "Canada's New Government is making our economy stronger by
attracting investment and creating opportunities for our
youth, so they can build their futures here in Atlantic
Canada," said the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of the
Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Regional Minister
for Newfoundland and Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable
Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of
ACOA. "Junior Achievement is designed to infuse an
entrepreneurial spirit in young people through enriching
programs, and we are pleased to support their efforts." During 2005-2006 Junior Achievement (JA) delivered 229
programs and reached 6,770 students in Newfoundland and
Labrador. This year, they plan to increase the number of
programs to 267 and hope to reach 7,890 students. The
number of high schools delivering programs is expected to
double. Target areas for expansion include Avalon East, the
Baccalieu Trail, Corner Brook, Deer Lake, Gander, Harbour
Breton, Pasadena and parts of Labrador. JA's high school programs include: -- Company Program A Student Venture - Inspires students
to understand the role of business by creating an
enterprise of their own. Students create a product or
service, learn how to develop a business plan, market their
business, manage the business finances and liquidate the
enterprise.-- JA Titan - a one day competition where teams of students
compete in a computerized industry simulation and manage
and operate their own virtual business. -- Dream Big A Life Lesson with Tiger Woods - uses the
well-known golf pro as a role model to help youth set goals
and become future leaders. "Our aim is to deliver programs that help inspire and
educate students by teaching them the value of free
enterprise, helping them to understand business and
economics, and enabling them to develop skills for the real
world," said Pamela Walsh, President and CEO of Junior
Achievement of Newfoundland and Labrador. "The support
received from the government and the business community in
the province helps us to achieve these goals."Junior Achievement is a not-for-profit organization that
teaches elementary, junior high and high school students
the principles of business through practical, hands-on
experiences. The organization has been in Newfoundland and
Labrador since 1985, and continues to expand.ACOA is providing funding for this initiative through the
Young Entrepreneur Development Initiative (YEDI), which
targets the development of entrepreneurship and business
skills among Atlantic Canada's youth. It is one of three
components of the Entrepreneurship and Business Skills
Development program, and enables ACOA to invest in various
youth entrepreneurship projects.
FOR BROADCAST USE:Junior Achievement (JA) is expanding its reach in high
schools across the province with the help of a $91,050
investment from Canada's New Government, through ACOA. During 2005-2006 JA delivered over 200 programs and reached
more than 6,700 students. This year, they plan to increase
the number of programs to 267 and hope to reach more than
7,800 students. The number of high school programs is
expected to double. Target areas for expansion include
Avalon East, the Baccalieu Trail, Corner Brook, Deer Lake,
Gander, Harbour Breton, Pasadena and parts of Labrador.
JA's high school programs include: Company Program A
Student Venture; JA Titan; and Dream Big A Life Lesson
with Tiger Woods.
For more information, please contact:
Julie Afonso
A/Director, Public Affairs
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
709-772-2984
Pamela Walsh
President and CEO
Junior Achievement of Newfoundland and Labrador
709-753-9533
