5th Class Students from St James’ Primary School, Dublin 8 presented their ideas to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Junior Achievement Ireland has marked its 20th anniversary celebrations by presenting the ‘Children’s Budget 2017’ to Minister for Children … Read More

Pictured at the launch are Brand Ambassador for Futurewize, Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, Assistant Professor in the UCD School of Mathematics & Statistics; Dr Helen Raftery, CEO of JAI; Richard Bruton, T.D., Minister for Education and Skills; Steve Ashmore, Head of Technology Services, Fidelity Investments and Dr Abigail Ruth Freeman, Director of Strategy & Communications, Science Foundation IrelandWe are delighted to launch our new, classroom-based programme called Futurewize which is aimed at inspiring young Junior Cycle students to explore a new world of career possibilities that are opened up through the study of STEM related subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

Jointly-sponsored by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and industry partner Fidelity Investments, Futurewize is designed by Junior Achievement Ireland and developed for delivery by business volunteers. The official launch of the Futurewize programme was attended by Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton T.D. who lent his support to the innovative programme.

Speaking at the launch, Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton T.D. said: “I am happy to support Junior Achievement Ireland in their 20th anniversary year, to help launch Futurewize. This programme aligns with the new Junior Cycle science course and its content strands: the physical, biological, and chemical worlds; and Earth and Space and the Government’s renewed policy focus on providing supports in this area. Futurewize will shine a light on the career options open to students in STEM and is a great example of an industry education initiative supporting Ireland’s National Skills Strategy 2025.”

In 2016/17, more than 2,000 students will complete Futurewize with 80 trained business volunteers from Fidelity Investments and other volunteer companies. Working with the 13-15 year olds in their own classrooms once a week for five weeks, Futurewize volunteers will serve to highlight the importance and relevance of STEM subjects and their links to a huge range of potential career pathways. 

Brand ambassador for Futurewize, Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, Assistant Professor, UCD School of Mathematics & Statistics and science communicator and Emma Kavanagh, second year student at Blessington Community CollegeBrand ambassador for Futurewize, Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, Assistant Professor in the UCD School of Mathematics & Statistics and science communicator and Emma Kavanagh, second year student at Blessington Community CollegeSpeaking at today’s launch as the brand ambassador for Futurewize, Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, Assistant Professor in the UCD School of Mathematics & Statistics and science communicator said:  “I am passionate about inspiring students to be curious about the world around them and to be aware of the opportunities available to them should they decide to continue to study subjects such as science, mathematics, technology and engineering.  An important part of this is that students meet and engage with positive role models from industry who can provide them with insight into what it might be like to work in science, technology, or engineering related jobs and businesses.

Junior Achievement is encouraging this engagement with the Futurewize programme and I am delighted to be an ambassador for this scheme encouraging more interactions between researchers, industry, and education.  The JAI programme is also committed to attempting to address the gender gap in students studying STEM subjects and this is something I am passionate about.”

HSBC volunteer Gareth Dunne with students from Central Model S.N.S., Dublin 1 ‘More than Money’ is a programme that teaches young people about money basics – earning, spending, sharing and saving. Featuring five interactive volunteer-led sessions, ‘More than Money’ helps … Read More

Senior leaders from some of Ireland’s best-known businesses gathered in Dublin last week to celebrate their remarkable record in having supported Junior Achievement Ireland for 20 years. Building on the foundations laid by our first supporters we have become the … Read More

Aidan Greene, Deputy CEO of Core Media, & Leah Jordan, Senior Client Manager of Core Media, with 4th class students from St. Vincent’s Girls School, Dublin 1 Core Media, Ireland’s largest media communications group, and Junior Achievement Ireland have announced details … Read More

Minister for Education & Skills Jan O’Sullivan at the launch of the Our Universe programme in Corpus Christi Primary School, Moyross, Limerick Gas Networks Ireland, in partnership with Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI), is bringing the Our Universe programme to over … Read More

Guide-A-Key from Desmond College Limerick & April Hawkins VP MetLife Foundation at European Final JA Company of the Year Competition Berlin

Berlin, Germany, 31 July 2015 Guide-A-Key, a team of student entrepreneurs from Desmond College,  Limerick won the MetLife LifeChanger Award, sponsored by the MetLife Foundation, at the Junior Achievement Europe 26^th annual Company of the Year Competition (COYC).

The Guide-A-Key team, comprising Emma Herbert, Seamus Hurley, Eoin Considine, Eamonn Browne & Diarmuid Curtin impressed the MetLife LifeChanger Award jury. Their combination of a passionate focus on social issues and determined commitment to sustaining a viable business through strong financial performance proved to be a winning formula. Guide-A-Key designed and manufactured a device, which helps people with limited dexterity to insert a key into a lock. The device is affixed to the area around the keyhole, allowing the user to simply slide their key into the top part of the device, which then guides the key into the lock.

Presenting the award, April Hawkins, Assistant Vice President, MetLife Foundation, said: “The MetLife LifeChanger Award recognises the student company that best embraces social impact, financial performance and innovation. Guide-A-Key delivered a viable business plan for today’s challenging markets, while demonstrating benefit to their local community, ability to be profitable and competitive, as well as innovation in their field. We are proud to play a role in supporting young people to get ahead in life. Through the MetLife LifeChanger initiative, MetLife Foundation and MetLife volunteers are helping thousands of students in building critical financial, work readiness and entrepreneurship skills.”

“It is great to have received the MetLife Life Changer Award, but the most important part is having been able to develop a simple device that can make a positive change in people’s lives. The JA Company Programme has been an amazing experience from start to finish, and we’ve been able to learn so many new skills along the way” reflected Diarmuid Curtin Guide-A-Key team member after receiving their award.

Over 350 COYC participants gathered in Berlin, Germany, between 28-31 July to compete with the best student entrepreneurs from across Europe. 37 teams representing 36 countries participated.

The national final of JA Company of the Year Competition 2015 hosted by DCU Ryan Academy, Citywest on May 13th and 14th was a thoroughly enjoyable entrepreneurial experience for students, teachers and mentors from Desmond College, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick; The … Read More