Company Programme

Strategic Partner

Partner

Supporter

Institutional Partner

JA Company Programme

The JA Company Programme provides an entrepreneurial learning experience for young people aged 15 to 18. The programme seeks to nurture a new generation of entrepreneurial, innovative and civic-minded talents for Cyprus.

It is the largest youth entrepreneurship programme on the island.

Participants learn how to take a business idea from concept to reality and have hands-on experience of running a real business, from team formation, capital raising, business plan development, product development, marketing, and sales to liquidating the company. The purpose is to design and proceed to production of a product or service, which meet identified social needs, is environmentally friendly and distinguished by innovative characteristics.

In doing so, student companies have the guidance of their teacher and the support of a business mentor who is their link to the real business world.

This specific programme runs a full academic year where teachers and mentors are trained by JA staff in September and October, students teams work on their idea until February where they are getting towards the culmination of the programme. In April, the 2-days Trade Fair is taking place where students have the chance to showcase their idea, talk to the public, proceed to sale and advertising and lots more. At the end of the Company Programme, students have the chance to participate in the Company of the Year Competition, where the 10 top student companies present in front of a panel of judges, their entrepreneurial ideas and the winning team represents Cyprus at the JA European Company of the Year Competition abroad.

The Program has been recognized by the European Commission as best practice to promote Εntrepreneurship.

“Every student must have a practical business experience before leaving compulsory education”

European Commission, 2012

THE IMPACT

European Results

Students participating in the Company Programme have:

50% more chances to start their own business
20% more likely to find a job in their field
20% more chances to be hired in senior executive positions
15% higher average income

Cyprus Results

9 out of 10 participants are likely to recommend the programme to their friends.
The greatest reported benefit is in the Skills acquired with 95% of students reporting improving their communication and teamwork skills through their participation.
Over 70% of students report gaining entrepreneurial skills and over 60% report wishing to pursue entrepreneurship as a result of their participation in the programme.
Over 75% of students reported that the restrictions due to the pandemic did not have a significant effect on their experience and had positive effect on helping them build flexible ways of working and collaborating.

Teachers and Mentors Feedback:

85% – Pleasant and fruitful experience

“The pleasant feeling of contributing to society by offering students the opportunity to take part in an international educational program.”

“The program gives the opportunity to our young people to acquire new knowledge and skills that will help them in their subsequent professional and/or personal success.”