Junior Achievement (JA) South Africa and Absa Group have announced the continuation of their successful partnership with the launch of the second year of the JA Company of the Year program. This program, previously known as Enterprise Program Plus (EP+), is JA’s flagship initiative aimed at equipping high school learners with essential entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work readiness skills.
Last year’s partnership between JA South Africa and Absa Group demonstrated a shared commitment to empowering youth through practical, hands-on learning experiences. This year, over 1,000 Grade 10-11 learners are expected to participate in the program, which features an enhanced curriculum and deeper mentorship opportunities. The highlight of the program is the JA South Africa Company of the Year (COY) competition, where learners showcase their entrepreneurial skills.
The launch event for the partnership took place at Ponelopele Oracle High School in Kaalfontein, where two learners from last year’s program had the opportunity to participate in the Girls in Leadership training program in Ghana earlier this year. The theme for this year’s Company of the Year program is “ACT!: Action for Climate Transformation”, challenging learners to develop AI-driven, sustainable solutions to environmental and societal challenges.
Like last year, learners will compete at the provincial level before advancing to the national finals in Gauteng. Nelo Spies, Executive Director of Junior Achievement South Africa, expressed excitement about the partnership’s growth and the impact it has had on students, noting how the program has helped students discover their passion for entrepreneurship and leadership skills.
The second year of the program will expand to more schools across South Africa’s nine provinces, offering learners increased opportunities for mentorship from Absa Group professionals and industry experts. Participants will also benefit from practical business exposure through site visits, guest lectures, and access to digital resources.
Dr. Steven Zwane, Managing Executive of Corporate Citizenship at Absa Group, emphasized the organization’s commitment to empowering youth through entrepreneurship education. He highlighted the importance of enabling young people to take ownership of their economic futures and expressed confidence in the impact of the program on shaping South Africa’s future.
In addition to the educational aspects of the program, this year’s partnership will focus on showcasing the journeys of learners as they build thriving communities through their project companies. This narrative will highlight the positive impact of the program on students and their ability to contribute to their communities through entrepreneurship.
Overall, the partnership between JA South Africa and Absa Group represents a collaborative effort to empower youth and foster a culture of entrepreneurship in South Africa. Through practical learning experiences and mentorship opportunities, students are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the business world.
