Arizona High School Students Learn Workforce Skills through JA You’re Hired! Event
(Phoenix) – Arizona high school students will prepare to enter the workforce by learning integral business skills, including interviewing techniques, resume writing, ethics, problem solving and interpersonal communications through an innovative program called “JA You’re Hired!”. The program, now in its fifth year, was developed by Junior Achievement of Arizona (JAAZ). The event is scheduled for Wednesday, March 27 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Arizona Biltmore Resort, 2400 E Missouri Ave in Phoenix.
In preparation for the full-day event in Phoenix, students from throughout the state work with Junior Achievement volunteers in-class and participate in the “JA You’re Hired!” curriculum. The comprehensive workforce readiness classroom lessons are made possible through a grant from Phoenix Suns Charities.
This year’s “JA You’re Hired! Challenge” event will bring more than 400 students from 23 Arizona high schools together for a series of workshops and competitions that focus on job aptitude and competence, business networking, entrepreneurship and essential career development skills. In addition, hiring managers from over 50 Arizona companies – including those from the financial, education, technology, nonprofit, retail and business sectors, among others – will be on site to talk with students. Many of the employers present offer summer internships through JA for eligible students who apply through their involvement in the “JA You’re Hired!” program.
“JA You’re Hired! is one of our most important curriculums at Junior Achievement,” said Melissa Leasher, director of program development for JAAZ. “It is crucial that young peopleare empowered to own their economic success. . We give young people the knowledge and skills they need to plan for their future and make smart academic and economic choices, and in turn, participating companies can be confident knowing they are hiring a skilled intern.”
As a leader in higher education and the pioneer in online education, University of Phoenix lent its expertise to develop the online curriculum, which students can access throughout the year lead by volunteers. In addition to creating the online curriculum and providing financial support, University of Phoenix is sponsoring this program in Chicago through the local JA affiliate.
“The University of Phoenix belief that education is the primary enablers for a successful future is in line with Junior Achievement and the JA You’re Hired! program,” said Dr. Bill Pepicello, president of University of Phoenix. “We are committed to helping the next generation workforce achieve their goals by them practical, real-world knowledge needed to compete in today’s diverse economy.”
This year’s “JA You’re Hired! Challenge” program is made possible thanks to the generous support of University of Phoenix and community partners such as Triton Technologies, Crexendo, FedEx, Allstate, bluemedia, Charles Schwab Foundation, Edward Jones, MidFirst Bank, AT&T, U.S. Bank SHRMand others.
For additional details about “JA You’re Hired!,” contact Melissa Leasher at Junior Achievement at (480) 219-0220, or visit www.jaaz.org. For information about University of Phoenix programs and curriculum, visit www.phoenix.edu.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help students balance education and life in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, challenging courses and interactive learning can help students pursue personal and career aspirations without putting their lives on hold. As the flagship university of Apollo Group, Inc., University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.
About Junior Achievement of Arizona
Junior Achievement is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization which believes that every child deserves an education in economics and finances in order to inspire and prepare them for success in a global economy. Serving Arizona’s youth since 1957, JA prepares young people for the real world by showing them how to become self-sufficient, how to create jobs which make their communities robust, and how to apply entrepreneurial thinking to the workplace. Junior Achievement of Arizona reached over 92,000 students during the 2011-2012 school year and plans to reach 95,000 students in 2012-2013. For more information on Junior Achievement or ways to get involved, please call 480-377-8500 or visit www.jaaz.org.
