Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida recently welcomed Congressman Byron Donalds, distinguished Laureates, and business and community leaders from across the region to the 2025 Laureate Society Luncheon, a celebration of collaboration and collective investment in the next generation of Southwest Florida’s workforce. The event highlighted Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida’s expanding impact in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work-readiness education, with a special focus on its newest workforce initiative: the Pre-Apprenticeship Program.
“Junior Achievement’s mission is to prepare young people for economic success, and we do that by equipping them with financial literacy, entrepreneurship skills, and real-world career pathways,” said Angela Fisher, President & CEO of Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida. “Our impact is possible because of the generous support and partnership of local businesses and leaders who are passionate about shaping the future for young people in our community.”
The Pre-Apprenticeship Program, piloted by Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, is designed to prepare students for in-demand careers in the skilled trades. The six-month, work-based learning program benefits both students and employers, combining classroom instruction with hands-on experiences that build the skills and confidence needed for long-term success.
“The future of our economy begins with the opportunities we give our students in the classroom today,” said Congressman Byron Donalds. “Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, working alongside local business and community leaders, is creating programs where financial literacy isn’t just a lesson; it’s a life skill. The jobs of tomorrow will require adaptability, creativity, and resilience, and it’s our responsibility to ensure the next generation is prepared not just to fill those roles, but to lead in them.”
Focused on the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) trades, the Pre-Apprenticeship Program offers students comprehensive training and career-readiness support. Participants develop essential workplace skills, including goal-setting, personal branding, résumé writing, interview preparation, communication, teamwork, and social media etiquette. They also gain real-world experience through site visits, mock interviews, and personal finance lessons. Students receive OSHA-10 and First Aid/CPR certifications, forklift safety training, and hands-on instruction with hand and power tools from NCCER-certified instructors at Tri-County Apprenticeship Academy.
The Junior Achievement Laureate Society honors visionary leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals who have made lasting contributions to Southwest Florida by creating opportunities, driving innovation, and inspiring the next generation. Their leadership and investment continue to elevate educational opportunities for youth in the areas of financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness. Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida extends special thanks to event sponsors: Scott Fischer Enterprises, Seacoast Bank, and First Citizens Bank, whose generous support helps make this celebration possible and advances Junior Achievement’s mission to inspire and prepare the future workforce.
To learn more about Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida or to support the future workforce, visit www.JASWFL.org or call (239) 225-2590.
About Junior Achievement
Junior Achievement (JA) is the world’s largest organization dedicated to preparing young people to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make informed academic and financial decisions. JA programs are delivered by business and community volunteers and provide hands-on experiences that teach students from kindergarten through high school critical skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. JA is also expanding its reach to pre-K learners and young adults ages 18–25 to ensure children gain a strong foundation and emerging adults are equipped for independent success.
Today, JA reaches more than 4.4 million students annually in 102 U.S. markets, contributing to a global network that serves 12.5 million students in over 100 countries. Junior Achievement USA is a member of JA Worldwide. For more information, visit www.ja.org.
Locally, during the 2024–2025 school year, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida partnered with hundreds of classroom volunteers to deliver 233,402 hours of instruction to 20,592 students across Collier, Lee, and Charlotte counties. To learn more, visit www.JASWFL.org, call (239) 225-2590, or email info@jaswfl.org.
