Company Program (After School) – Junior Achievement of Nova Scotia

By participating in this program for four months, volunteers from the local business community work with students to launch and run a small enterprise. This gives students the real-world skills and experience that they need to achieve their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs.

JA Company Program transforms students into tomorrows leaders by helping them to understand how to run a successful business enterprise.

Volunteer Overview

Volunteer Role and Responsibility

Act as a mentor for after-school Company Program, working with youth to reach their goals and learn new skills
Receive training and support so you feel confident to lead youth through the 18-week program
Company Program activities include opening, operating, and liquidating their own business
Spend time preparing the weekly lessons to be presented each week
Facilitate weekly meetings (approximately 2 1/2 hours weekly)
Encourage Company Program youth to learn new skills, get out of their comfort zone, engage in group meetings, and have fun!
Support Company Program youth to build their business, gaining confidence and inspire entrepreneurial thinking!

You will build mentorship and facilitation skills while helping the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders learn the skills they need to find success.

Program Content

Phase 1 – Inspire

Students are introduced to the concept of “ideation” as they begin to brainstorm product and service ideas
Students to get to know each other and establish expectations about the program
Students learn about the various business roles available within each Company
Students build their team norms, practice pitching, and learn about prototyping

Phase 2 – Unite

Students learn to understand the criteria for selecting the nature of the business venture and product pitching
Students will pitch individual ideas in and vote on a product/service
Students begin to develop their business plan
A management team is formed, and remaining students find a role within the company

Phase 3 – Build

Students complete the Business Model Canvas and Mission Statement as they create Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and work plans
Students are asked to learn and utilize group negotiation and mentorship skills, as well as the importance of delegation
Students create an accountability framework incorporating a Code of Ethics and department work plans

Phase 4 – Launch

Companies begin to implement their plan and make their goals reality
Students participate in production, marketing, selling, and financial responsibilities

Phase 5 – Achieve

Students begin the process of concluding company operations, liquidating assets, closing books and accounts, and preparing to issue final reports
Students share learning outcomes and successes in a variety of formats
Students take time to reflect, appraise, and submit feedback to improve program experience

Company Program (After-School) (CPAS)

Program for Grades 9-12