Funding infusion expands reach of Junior Achievement programs in Ottawa

OTTAWA, ON, July 6, 2010 - Beginning in September, Ottawa youth will have access to two Junior Achievement programs. With four new funding partners, including RBC Foundation, Accenture, Algonquin College and an anonymous donor, OCRI and the City of Ottawa are pleased to announce that Building Business Basics will be available to students in grades three through six in addition to JA Titan which targets students in grades 10 through 12.

Last year, OCRI's Entrepreneurship Centre and Junior Achievement Canada formed a strategic partnership to deliver the first of many programs, JA Titan - an online business simulation program which gives students high-level leadership experience without the high-stakes risks. Over 1,700 students participated in JA Titan last year. Today's announcement expands the reach of this program to 3,500 students in the Ottawa region and introduces a new program to 5,000 students in grades three through six.

"We are extremely pleased to welcome our new partners and look forward to rolling out another valuable JA program here in Ottawa," said Stephen Daze, Executive Director, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, OCRI. "Now, we have an opportunity to show some of our youngest students that entrepreneurship is a viable career option. The success of any new program depends on community support. We look forward to expanding Titan and working with the elementary schools to make sure that Building Business Basics becomes a permanent fixture in Ottawa."

The Building Business Basics program, created for elementary students, fosters a better understanding of the role that small business plays in Canada, having a positive impact on their community and identifying trends that inspire creativity and innovation. As with all Junior Achievement programs, Business Basics is curriculum-linked, student-centered and can be delivered by a volunteer at no cost to schools or groups.

"Algonquin College is very proud to be the lead academic institution supporting Junior Achievement in Ottawa," says Dave Donaldson, Executive Dean, School of Business, Algonquin College. "Programs like JA Titan and Building Business Basics can help develop the core business essentials that are necessary for successful and creative business leaders of the future - It is important to provide an opportunity to stimulate young entrepreneurial minds and is a perfect fit with the programs in the School of Business."

Additional partners and increased funding translates into the ability to deliver more programs to more students but funding is only one part of the equation. With the introduction of new programs, there is a need for volunteers to champion the delivery of the curriculum. A mere hour each week for a four week period is required. Volunteers, elementary school teachers or school board representatives who are interested in delivering the Building Business Basics programs are asked to contact the OCRI Entrepreneurship Centre at entcent@ocri.ca.

"Entrepreneurship is one of our city's greatest strengths. The creativity and ingenuity of our community has helped Ottawa become one of the most desirable cities in which to live, work and play," said Saad Bashir, Manager, Economic Development, City of Ottawa. "It should be our focus to nurture and grow the culture of business entrepreneurship and these Junior Achievement programs fulfill a very important role in the business and entrepreneurial education ecosystem in Ottawa."

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About OCRI:
Leading the way for Ottawa, OCRI is the city's economic development agency. OCRI is the rallying point to bring business, education, research and talent together to create the winning economic conditions that allow Ottawa's knowledge-based companies to thrive locally and compete globally. At OCRI we promote sustainable economic development to maintain our high quality of life. For more information on OCRI visit our website at www.ocri.ca and for more information on the Ottawa Region please visit www.ottawaregion.com. In 2010, Ottawa was named one of the world’s top seven intelligent communities by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF).

For information contact:
Kim Cunningham
Manager, External Communications
OCRI
Office: (613) 828-6274 ext. 256
Cell: (613) 851-0768
kcunningham@ocri.ca