This program targets students in grades 10 to 12 and runs from 21 to 26 weeks, from October to April. Groups of approximately 12 to 20 students form a company, select and produce a product or service, and operate the company with the assistance of business advisors. The groups meet once a week in the evening for approximately two and one half hours. The students must establish objectives for the company, raise capital by selling company shares in the community, organize a board of directors and elect officers, manufacture and market a product or service, maintain a computerized financial record system, and pay wages, salaries, commissions and taxes. At the end of the project the group must close the books, handle dividend declaration or payment, liquidate all assets, settle accounts and prepare an annual report.
Any profit made by the company is donated back to the community.
In Pasadena, Newfoundland, JA has been able to maintain a strong company program for a number of years. Each Wednesday night 24 students from Pasadena Academy and seven advisors meet to work at their business. This year the company has decided to produce a copy stand. Late in November the group was in the midst of manufacturing their product. Judy Perry, a level III student and a three-year veteran of the Junior Achievement company program, is president of the board of directors.