Volunteering with Junior Achievement (JA)

by Heidi Riley

JA is a not-for-profit organization that presents business-related educational programming for school-age youth across PEI. The organization is active across Canada and in more than 100 other countries. “We are one of the largest not-for-profit education-based organizations world-wide,” says Virginia Johnson, Senior Manager of Programs and Community Engagement.

JA PEI presents programs in schools across the Island for students from grades 3 to 11. They are looking for volunteers to deliver in-school presentations.

The course for grade 3 students is called “Our Community”. Students learn about the basics of money, including earning, spending, and future jobs.

In grade 4, they learn more about technology and innovation, and how changes in technology have affected the Canadian business landscape.

In grades 5 and 6 they talk about individual businesses, starting a business, how to be an entrepreneur, and why businesses benefit the community.

As students move into junior high school, programs focus on financial literacy, goal setting, and preparing for life after high school.

In grade 11, a portion of the Entrepreneurship elective is delivered in partnership with JA. Over the course of 10 weeks, students have the opportunity to start up, run, and liquidate a small business.

“We are looking for volunteers to help at all levels,” says Virginia. “For the high school entrepreneurship class, we look for volunteers who can go into the classroom, work with students, and give advice on running a business. Having a background in entrepreneurship or studying business at school would be great, but it is not necessary. The main criteria we look for is passion and interest and enthusiasm.”

Volunteers are given all the materials they need to facilitate the programs in the classroom. The content has already been created.

Programs run during school hours throughout the school year. “We can work to accommodate the presenter’s schedule, and teachers are flexible and eager to have a guest speaker come to the classroom.”

Presentations usually run in four one-hour sessions. “Occasionally we will hold an event where we present to a whole school with multiple presenters. That might take half a day.”

How to apply

To get started, visit https://jacanada.org/pei/ and click Volunteers.