Who We Are

Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI) is a member of one of the world’s largest educational non-profits, helping prepare young people for their futures by delivering hands-on, experiential learning in entrepreneurship, employability, financial literacy and the value of STEAM.

Reaching more than 10 million young people each year, Junior Achievement (JA) is one of few organisations with the scale, experience, and passion to build a brighter future for the next generation.

JAI was established in Ireland in 1996 and since then has built up a strong demand from schools throughout the country and created successful partnerships with 110 leading organisations, across 165 sites.

Our Mission

To inspire and motivate young people to realise their potential by valuing education and understanding how to succeed in the world of work

Our Values

Belief in the boundless potential of young people.
Passion for what we do and honesty, integrity and excellence in how we do it.
Respect for the talents, creativity, perspectives of all individuals
Belief in the power of partnership and collaboration.
Conviction as to the educational and motivational impact of relevant hands-on learning

What We Do

JAI inspires and motivates young people to succeed in the changing world of work by equipping them with the skills, knowledge and confidence they need.

We work directly with young people, schools and the business community to help build a successful and sustainable future for all young people and society at large.

We utilise the experience of those already in the workforce to help young people of all ages to fully understand the important role that education will play in shaping their futures. JA business volunteers – who act as role models from the working world - are recruited, trained, vetted, equipped and supported to deliver hands-on learning experiences in primary and second level schools.

Through our entrepreneurship, employability, financial literacy and STEM programmes we aim to encourage young people to stay in school and help them realise their potential in order to empower a generation to learn, to work and to live.

Entrepreneurship

Through JA’s real-world entrepreneurship programmes, students understand 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 get involved in team working, negotiation, ideation and critical decision-making allowing them to practice skills and acquire knowledge which will be essential to their future careers

Employability

JA’s volunteer-led work-readiness programmes teach critical work skills that help prepare young people for their futures. Whether being mentored by skilled professionals, learning about the workplace, or developing business solutions during technical and business challenges, JA students acquire and practice the skills required to navigate an unpredictable future.

Financial Literacy

JA’s financial-literacy programmes expose young people to smart saving and investing, thoughtful spending and credit, the role of taxes, the value of employment and community involvement, and the opportunities of global trade.

The Value of STEM

With hands-on activities students journey through Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), uncovering the future and exploring STEM skills and the role they play in the future of the business world.

WHY WE DO IT

We equip young people with the employment and entrepreneurship skills to thrive right now—and in the future. By building a host of skills and nurturing self-belief, JAI prepares young people for the future of work, teaches them how to think entrepreneurially, and ensures that they have the tools to be financially capable adults.

PREPARING YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THE FUTURE OF WORK

How do we prepare young people for the world of work when we don’t even know how that world will look?

65% of children who started school in 2017 will be employed in jobs that do not exist today while the average Irish worker faced a 46% probability of having their role automated by the 2030s. While the future is uncertain, it is clear that in the future, our workers and enterprises will be operating in a changed economy.

JA entrepreneurship education programmes provide opportunities for young people to develop the ability to think positively, to identify opportunities to make things happen, to have the self-confidence to achieve their goals, and to use their talents to build a better society.

JAI volunteers encourage students to develop transversal skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem solving which help equip young people with essential skills to prepare them for the future work place and
to achieve success in their lives after they finish school.

THE ROLE MODEL EFFECT

A volunteer from ‘the real world’ has significant educational impact in helping students to see the relevance of their studies and their post-school choices. Our young people need positive role models from every sector of the economy in order to fully appreciate the range of options that are available to them.

WHO SUPPORTS US?

One of JAI’s core values is the belief in the power of partnership and collaboration. It is essential for business and education to work together to prepare young people for a changing world of work.

We work with companies, institutions, and foundations to bring the world of work into schools, responding to the needs of both schools and the economy, and empowering a new generation of workers,professionals, managers and entrepreneurs.

Thanks to our supporting organisations for investing in the future.