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Youth business group starts Langley chapter

Students in Grades 10 to 12 can learn about business as part of JA.
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(Junior Achievement Facebook page)

High school students interested in learning about business can sign up for the program that used to be called Junior Achievement.

Fraser Valley program manager Denise Jimmo described the after-school classes for students from Langley and Abbotsford as “common sense learning” that helps participants develop job and leadership skills and obtain valuable contacts and references

“Students who shine in this [program] because it’s so experiential and real-world, don’t necessarily shine in regular school,” said Jimmo, noting a recent survey of Abbotsford students showed most don’t feel school was adequately preparing them for post-secondary education and future jobs.

There were 16 students who took part in the first year of the JA Company program in Langley last year, two of whom won $3,000 each in scholarships and awards.

Only one student dropped out and “they didn’t want to,” Jimmo said.

The second Langley group begins this week, but there are still openings for the free program, both in Langley and Abbotsford, Jimmo said.

Jesse Levitt, of Leavitt Machinery, will host the JA mentoring group for Grades 10 to 12 in Langley.

The group will meet Tuesdays 6 to 8 p.m. from until May 21 at the Leavitt corporate office in Port Kells.

There’s also awards and scholarships through JA British Columbia (JABC) and it helps young people build their CVs for post-secondary school and the job market.

To register, go to jabc.ca/companyprogram.

JA British Columbia (JABC) is a member of JA Canada and part of JA Worldwide (JA), the world’s largest not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating young people about business. Since 1955, British Columbia schools have relied on JA to inspire and prepare youth to succeed in an ever-changing global economy. Last year, almost 40,000 BC students benefited from JABC programs delivered free of charge by volunteers from local business communities, who bring their real-life experience into the classroom. JABC programs focus on work readiness, financial literacy and entrepreneurship, giving students the confidence and skills they need to become the next generation of business and community leaders. To learn more visit jabc.ca.

In 2017/2018, 1,033 students and 64 volunteer mentors participated in the JA Company Program across B.C. In November 2018, a JA Company Program from Kamloops was selected to represent Canada in the JA Americas Company of the Year Competition in Lima Peru. To learn more about the JA Company Program visit jabc.ca/companyprogram.



Heather Colpitts

About the Author: Heather Colpitts

Since starting in the news industry in 1992, my passion for sharing stories has taken me around Western Canada.
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