Although Junior Achievement of Nova Scotia has been offering programs in business education to students in this province for 35 years, this past spring was the first time that Grade 9 students in the Annapolis West Education Centre were able to participate in the Economics of Staying in School (ESIS) program.  Aimed at reducing the high school drop-out rate, this program is targeted at the crucial grade 9 level and provides opportunities for students to consider the advantages of remaining in school until they have gained the knowledge, attitudes and skills need to achieve financial independence and a successful career.

ESIS is taught by volunteers with business experience, and the volunteers for AWEC were provided from the membership of the Annapolis District Board of Trade (ADBoT). The business volunteers present a well developed curriculum which guides students through a series of exercises designed to aid in identifying individual dreams and measures of success. The program includes activity-based exercises which give students an opportunity to think about four themes:  the meaning of success to individuals in society, the cost of living on one's own, the skills valued by employers, and steps individuals can take to prepare themselves for the world of work.  Classroom activities involve real-life budgeting, payroll and job interviewing exercises, and by the end of the day students come to realize that without the skills and qualifications gained through education they will have difficulty achieving economic independence and their dreams.

For students in Grades 10, 11 and 12, JA offers the Company Program- A Student Venture.  This entrepreneurial program allows students to start and run a real business over 18 weeks from mid-October until mid-March. Guided by a team of volunteer advisors from the local business community, this dynamic program requires significant local financial support and strong volunteer commitment. In addition to providing business volunteers, ADBoT has become a JA sponsor and will be providing $500 or 20% of the total local funding of $2,500 required for this year.  JA underwrites the majority of program costs, and requires local communities to contribute $2,500 for each program. ADBoT is looking to the larger business community for assistance in securing the additional $2,000 needed to support this educational effort.

The Annapolis District Board of Trade is the business organization for Annapolis Royal and the surrounding area.  For more information or to support the Company Program in AWEC, please contact ADBoT at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or  #526–0944.

Junior Achievement is a not-for-profit organization which was formed in 1919 and established in Nova Scotia in 1969.  JA currently has 1,100 volunteers in the province and is always looking for more help.  For more information please visit www.janovascotia.org