Submitted By: Josh Milton
Founded in 1994, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida (JA) has been impacting the region’s future workforce for over 28 years. One of its newest and exciting programs, JA Inspire, aims to launch 10,000 Lee and Collier County middle school students on an interactive career exploration on April 26 – 28, at FGCU’s Alico Arena. This will be the largest career expo in Southwest Florida history, with thousands of students scheduled to connect and explore career opportunities with nearly 100 of the region’s top employers and business professionals.
JA Inspire gives students real-world opportunities to envision future career options in Southwest Florida. The program includes in-classroom curriculum and a hands-on interactive career expo. Students will review career planning, skills, interests, and job outlooks and then engage with local businesses and learn skills that are in demand at the career fair. After the event, students and teachers will debrief to discuss academic choices and career paths.
“This program is such a unique way for local businesses to engage and build their future talent pipeline with students from Southwest Florida,” said Angela Fisher, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida. “We are excited to host this event for the first time in-person and can’t wait for businesses in our community to have the opportunity to inspire over 10,000 students from two school districts in person.” Previously, this program was held virtually due to the pandemic.
Preparing young students with lessons that promote financial literacy and capability, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship helps them better transition into adulthood. JA Inspire gets students one step closer to finding their passion, earning a college degree, and achieving career success.
Local business leaders across Southwest Florida are encouraged to participate. Expo booth space and sponsorship opportunities are available. Sponsorships are critical for Junior Achievement to continue providing life-changing programs to students in our community. You can make a difference in the lives of these students by emailing Stephanie Hoffman, Director of Operations at shoffman@jaswfl.org. To help support Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida and the future of local children, please visit www.JASWFL.org or call 239-225-2590.
ABOUT JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT USA®
Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches more than 2.5 million students per year in 104 markets across the United States, with an additional 5.2 million students served by operations in 100 other countries worldwide. Junior Achievement USA is a member of JA Worldwide. For more information, visit www.ja.org.
Locally, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida partnered with classroom business volunteers during the 2021-2022 school year to provide nearly 135,000 hours of instruction to nearly 14,800 students in 589 classes throughout Collier, Lee, and Charlotte counties. For more information on Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, visit www.JASWFL.org, call (239) 225-2590 or email info@jaswfl.org.
