What’s the point of algebra? Why the big deal about punctuality? And who’s going to give me a job anyway – I don’t have any stand-out-from-the-crowd talent? Secondary school programmes are structured, hands-on and activity based, focusing on enterprise, communication and interview skills as well as financial literacy. These programmes take the mystery out of negotiating the path from school to a career that suits each student’s individual strengths. Our business volunteers choose the programme they would like to teach, the area they would like to teach it in and the time of year they would like to do this in. 2.5hrs training in all aspects of their chosen programme means our business volunteers are totally comfortable with classroom management, teaching techniques and each module of their programme. And of course, the teacher will be present in the classroom at all times lending additional support.
Secondary programmes vary from five to six weeks. Business volunteers visit the classroom once a week for five to six weeks and teach a structured programme.
JAI has collaborated with Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) to highlight the development of Key Skills through JA programmes and promote JA activities in second level schools.
Futurewize (12 – 14 Years)
In partnership with Science Foundation Ireland, this 5 week STEM programme links the strands of the junior cycle science curriculum: Earth and Space, Chemical World, Physical World and Biological World, to varied careers and fields of study in STEM. With hands-on activities students journey through Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and uncover the future possibilities within.
Smart Futures (12 – 14 Years)
Help your students to open their eyes to the vast choice of exciting career paths and opportunities in the STEM sector. A Junior Achievement Ireland volunteer will share their career story in this workshop which broadens the reach of the Science Foundation Ireland Smart Futures initiative.
Economics of Staying in School (12–14 Years)
The Economics of Staying in School explains the economic benefits of an education.
This programme runs for 40 minutes weekly for six weeks. Choices have trade-offs. Choices have consequences. We teach students informed choices about their future-education, careers, budgets, and other personal economic decisions.
Finance Your Future (15–18 Years)
Designed for 15-16 year olds, volunteers may well learn something as well.
This programme runs for 40 minutes weekly for five weeks. Finance Your Future covers real-to-life topics like balancing your own personal budget, learning about importance of saving as well as an introduction to insurance and managing risk. The correlation between level of education attained and earning potential are included in the design of the modules in order to reinforce the value of education and staying in school, as is the importance of knowing your skills, interests and values for future career choices.
Career Success (15–18 Years)
In partnership with Accenture, JA’s employability programme integrates the Accenture Skills to Succeed Academy (S2S), a digital platform for use by senior cycle second level students. Effective Communication. Teamwork. Personal Brand. Interview Skills. Students practice and develop these skills as the JA business volunteer demonstrates their relevance to school, to work, and to life.
JA Enterprise in Action (15–18 Years)
Supported by Citi Foundation JA Enterprise in Action encourages students to examine the role of an entrepreneur in today’s society. Students will review entrepreneurship and acknowledge the importance of developing entrepreneurial skills for future roles, as well as the value of ‘intrapreneurship’ and social entrepreneurship in today’s economy and society. Students work with tangible examples of entrepreneurship such as product ideation and venture creation to enable students to practice skills and acquire knowledge.
