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Company Program (After-School) (CPAS)

Program for Grades 9-12

Junior Achievement’s After School Company Program provides students in Grades 9-12 with the opportunity to explore organizing and operating an actual business enterprise. The Company Program is designed as an immersive experience for students to engage their own ideas, their team, and their abilities to grow and organize their business as a team, with the guidance of an experienced mentor.

Through the program students will gain an understanding of the significance of entrepreneurship and innovation in today’s economy, discover the risks and rewards of starting a business, solve real business challenges, learn to incorporate and capitalize by selling shares, produce and market a product or service, use an excel based record keeping tool to record sales and finances, and more.

Students will not only learn about how businesses function, they will be given the opportunity to incorporate their ideas and imagination into real projects. Company Program also subscribes to UN’s 18 Sustainable Development Goals, and assists achievers in implementing them into their companies – equipping them to take their skills into a rapidly expanding global economy.

Student Sign-Up Get Involved As A Volunteer

Teacher Led Class

Self Directed Program

Volunteer Facilitated Program

English

French

Volunteer Overview

Volunteer role and responsibility

As a mentor for after-school Company Program, you will work with youth to reach their goals and learn new skills. With the training and support of the JA Office you will lead youth through an 18-week program that involves opening, operating, and liquidating their own business. Meetings run weekly for 2 1/2 hours, and volunteers can expect to spend an additional 30 minutes preparing each week.

You will build your mentorship and facilitation skills while helping our next future leaders learn the skills they need to succeed.

As a Company Program Advisor, your responsibilities are:

  • Commit to attending at least 80% of the Company Program meetings, and events.
  • To encourage Company Program youth to learn new skills, get out of their comfort zone, engage in group meetings, and have fun!
  • To support Company Program youth with building their business, gaining confidence and inspire entrepreneurial thinking!

Program Content

Phase 1 – Inspire

Group members will be introduced to the concept of “ideation” as they begin to brainstorm product and service ideas. This phase will allow students to get to know each other and establish expectations about the program. Participants will build their team norms, practice pitching, and learn about prototyping.

Objectives

  • Get to know each other, including strengths and motivations.
  • Establish expectations and excite students about the program learning opportunity.
  • Collaboratively develop group working norms.
  • Consider a variety of possible products, services, and business models.
  • Learn about roles available within the JA Company

Phase 2 – Unite

In this Phase, students will pitch their ideas in their groups and vote on a product/service and then begin to develop their business plan and determine venture funding. The management team will be formed, and everyone will find a role within the company.

Objectives

  • Identify different leadership styles and strengths
  • Understand the criteria for selecting the nature of the business venture and product pitching
  • Establish the details of the company using the Business Model Canvas
  • Understand potential mechanisms for funding business ventures

Phase 3 – Build

In this phase, students complete the Business Model Canvas and Mission Statement as they create KPIs and work plans. Success in this phase requires group negotiation, mentorship, and the importance of delegation. Optionally, students can work to incorporate their Business Model Canvas sections into a Lean Business Plan with templates provided.

Objectives

  • Create an accountability framework incorporating the Code of Ethics and department work plans
  • Develop and establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and department work plans
  • Quantify start-up capital needs, resources, and break-even point
  • Create the Lean Business Plan (if applicable)

Phase 4 – Launch

In this phase, all teams begin to implement their plan and begin to make their goals reality. Many activities are ongoing. Students will participate in production, marketing, selling, and financial responsibilities within this phase.

Objectives

  • Implement the strategy defined by the Business Model Canvas and/or Lean Business Plan and apply department work plans
  • Continue production of product or marketing of service
  • Conduct sales
  • Maintain accurate records

Phase 5 – Achieve

In the Achieve phase students begin the process of concluding company operations, liquidating assets, closing books and accounts and preparing to issue final reports.

Objectives

  • Understand the steps to close a business
  • Share learning outcomes and successes in a variety of formats
  • Conduct a final shareholder meeting
  • Reflect, appraise, and submit feedback to improve program experience

Want to support this program?

Volunteer for Company Program
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