The B.C. government is investing $1 million in education programs that target entrepreneur and business skills for youth, announced Premier Christy Clark.

The investment will be made through Junior Achievement B.C. (JABC) so they can continue offering business education programs to elementary, middle and high school students throughout the province. With this investment, the Province will have contributed $5 million to JABC since 2006.  The $1-million investment continues the successful implementation of the B.C. Small Business Accord by growing new entrepreneurs and building the skilled workforce, tools and resources small-business owners need to succeed.

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JABC has been teaching work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy in B.C. for 60 years.  With this investment JABC intends to double the reach of their programs by 2020 and will be piloting a new program “Be Entrepreneurial” later this year.

JABC programs provide youth with the skills they need to make better financial decisions, start a company, develop a career plan and express their innovative spirit. They are a part of an international non-profit organization that delivers business-training programs through partnerships with local schools together with individual volunteers from local business communities.

Quotes:

Premier Christy Clark -

“Thousands of businessmen and women in British Columbia got started in entrepreneurism, learned a few crucial lessons, and have since gone on to build amazing things and better communities thanks to their time in Junior Achievement.” 

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour -

“Junior Achievement has a proven track record of providing students with the skills they need to make better financial decisions and support entrepreneurship. They help inspire the future business leaders of our province.”

Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business -

"During Small Business Roundtable consultations, small business owners consistently identified a need to expand educational programs for young people so they will learn basic business skills and practical entrepreneurial training. By providing them with the tools to become future entrepreneurs or to enter the workforce with business skills they will be on the path to successful careers."

Jan Bell-Irving, JABC president -

“With the renewed support of the ministry, Junior Achievement will be able to reach more students and continue to build a solid understanding of work readiness, entrepreneurial skills and financial literacy. We are proud to play our part in supporting the three pillars of the BC Jobs Plan, particularly in developing a skilled workforce and teaching fiscal discipline.”

Quick Facts:

• B.C. continues to foster an entrepreneurship culture, including the declaration of October as Small Business Month and supporting programs that expose youth to business training and prepare them for future careers in business.
• Government created a permanent Small Business Roundtable in 2005, giving small businesses a voice in government. The Roundtable brings together small business owners and industry association leaders to provide advice and recommendations to government and to improve the small-business environment in British Columbia.
• As part of the goal to maximize the potential of the existing workforce and the workforce of the future, the provincial government developed B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint a detailed, cross-government action plan that gives students and British Columbians a clear and seamless path from school through to the workplace.

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Learn More:

BC Jobs Plan Small Business Cross-Sector:  http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/files/2014/09/3yearUpdate_SmallBusiness.pdf

Junior Achievement British Columbia: http://british-columbia.jacan.org/

Junior Achievement Canada: http://www.jacan.org/

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799

Sam Oliphant
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252