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Junior Achievement of Canada (JA Canada™) in partnership with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) of Canada is undertaking a study to measure the impact of JA's programs.

As part of this study we are conducting a national survey to help us understand the overall impact of Junior Achievement (JA) programs and how JA has made a difference in the lives and careers of all participants.

JA Impact Study - Achiever Survey

Étude d’impact de JE – Sondage du participant

July 20, 2010

CANADIANS REALLY CLEAN-UP
AT NORTH AMERICAN YOUTH BUSINESS COMPETITION
50x ROI to Shareholders and Revenues of over $22,000
Earns First and Second Place Honours
JA Company Program Profits Donated to Local and International Charities

Toronto, ON - Junior Achievement of Canada (JA Canada™) is pleased to announce that 16 teen entrepreneurs from Southern Alberta were crowned the winners of the 2010 North American JA Company of the Year Competition this month in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company “Healthy Hands” was comprised of high school students from Calgary. These students demonstrated superior performance and innovation above 24 other companies. A close second place was Pure Vita, a team of 17 high school students from Edmonton, Alberta and Canadian Company of the Year winners. Both teams innovated in the areas manufacturing, packaging and use of hand sanitizing products.

Healthy Hands was inspired by the flu pandemic in the fall of 2009. Knowing that poor hand washing was a major contributor to the spread of flu germs, they set out to create a product that would ensure adequate hand washing and sanitization. The kit that they sold included glo-germ gel that revealed bacteria on your hands when seen under the included UV light keychain. The kit also included a bar of soap, multi-purpose lotion to keep hands moist and clean, a pack of Kleenex, and hand sanitizer. They saw a 7x return on investment and revenue over $6000. Healthy Hands donated half of their profits to charity.

Pure Vita excelled in every aspect of the company from having 100% attendance and retention to selling over 6,000 units for a total revenue of more than $16,000. They produced and sold moisturizing hand sanitizer which consisted of aloe gel, various essential oils, distilled water, a minimal amount isopropyl alcohol and was packaged in post-consumer recycled 1oz. bottles. Personalized company labels were also available upon request. Pure Vita donated more than $7,500 to different local and international charities and volunteered for more than 500 hours. They achieved a return of investment of 43x in only 7 weeks and were named both Northern Alberta and Canadian Company of the Year.

JA Company Program students start and run their own companies with support of sponsorship and mentorship from the business community. Youth in local high schools come together to create a fully operational business from little more than an idea by securing the capital required to design and produce their products, market and sell their wares to realize a profit for shareholders. All the while gaining invaluable entrepreneurship, financial literacy and work readiness skills.

Eligibility for the 2010 North American JA Student Company of the Year Competition was limited to qualifying student teams that completed JA Company Program™ during the 2009-2010 academic year.

“Recognition at this level highlights the potential of youth in our communities. The role of JA is to provide mentorship and guidance that inspires young people to achieve their dreams. Winning this competition for the second year in a row demonstrates the impact and relevance of JA programs to providing essential business and life skills.” said Ross Maund, president and CEO of JA Canada.

JA plays an essential role in developing Canada’s future leaders by providing the tools and resources that inspire and prepare youth to succeed in a global marketplace. JA Canada™ offers financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship programs that are delivered in local communities by experienced business mentors who bring the world of work to youth.

Junior Achievement and Youth Financial Literacy

JA is the leading provider of youth financial literacy education. We provide experiences that promote the skills, understanding and perspectives students will need to succeed in a global economy and become productive, contributing members of society. JA is a partner of choice for businesses, educators and policy-makers around the globe seeking to expand workforce and economic development.

For over 55 years JA Canada™ has provided educational business programs and conferences to youth with an emphasis of three educational pillars of success:

1) Financial Literacy
2) Entrepreneurship
3) Work Readiness

JA Canada offers a suite of nine national programs delivered to over 240,000 students annually by 14,000 qualified business volunteers in Elementary, Middle and Secondary school classrooms. Together with educators and the business community, JA programs give youth the confidence, belief and direction they need to succeed as leaders and citizens in a global community.

Financial literacy is an essential part of our economic prosperity, competitiveness and the everyday lives of Canadians. Click here to download our financial literacy position paper and letter to the Finance Minister.