By David F. Rooney
Community Futures is helping local students learn how to reach for the sky as potential entrepreneurs through the Junior Achievement Program.
“We’ve delivered a program at Columbia Park to the Grade 6 and 7s and Cindy Malone is delivering one at Arrow Heights,” Community Future Manager Kevin Dorrius said in a recent interview.
“It was fantastic! It was one of the finest little projects I’ve every delivered.”
Junior Achievement (JA) is the world’s largest not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating young people about business. It has been active in BC since 1955 and has 120 charters worldwide, JA brings a global view of business to local communities. It partners with educators, donors and volunteers to bring a real world experience into the classroom. Its programs give students the confidence and skills they need to become the next generation of business and community leaders.
Dorrius said the program offers young people an opportunity to learn about business, better understand the importance of numbers and entrepreneurship, as well as ways to promote themselves when seeking a job.
“It’s simple stuff like shaking hands, how to dress for an interview, maintaining eye contact and other tips,” he said. “We teach them that they’re a more valuable employee if you understand business.”
Dorrius said he encourages program young people to volunteer in different fields because that is “an easy way to gain experience they can list on a resume.”
“I think we really need to build a sense of entrepreneurship and financial understanding in this next generation,” he said. “Look at the level of debt people carry today — my generation has kind of blown it.”
Dorrius said he thinks this year’s pilot offerings were successful and he “had a blast” delivering it. Now he’d like to see the Junior Achievement program offered on a regular basis in Revelstoke schools. Ideally, that will happen.
Please click here to learn more abut Junior Achievement in BC.
