Our Blog
DeSales Seniors Earn Kentucky’s First JA Essential Work Skills Credentials
By Jillian Cantu
Work Readiness
Two DeSales High School seniors made history as the first students in Kentucky to earn the JA Essential Work Skills Credential. Through the JA Essential Skills for Work program, they completed 10 sessions on career readiness, including a simulated internship. By earning six micro-credentials in essential workplace skills, they achieved the full credential, which they can showcase to colleges and...
Duke Energy Foundation Invests in Workforce Readiness for Washington County Students
By Jillian Cantu
Corporate Responsibility
Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana received a $5,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to expand workforce readiness programs. The initiative, already launched at Salem High School, helps students build career skills through real-world learning and will expand to more schools in Washington...
Gotta Go Waste and Recycling Inspires Next Generation Through JA BizTown Partnership
By Jillian Cantu
Corporate Responsibility
Gotta Go Waste and Recycling is sponsoring a position in the JA BizTown town hall to give students hands-on experience in waste management careers. Students will learn about sustainability, teamwork, and financial skills while exploring the importance of sanitation services and potential career...
From Learning to Earning: How Skills Build the Foundation for Economic Growth
Blog from JA USA
By Elizabeth Stepanek
Work Readiness
For today’s students, the journey from learning to earning is more complex than ever before. A rapidly evolving economy shaped by technological innovation, shifting workforce demands, and new career pathways requires more than academic knowledge alone. It requires a strong foundation of skills that can translate into real-world success. We believe that building these skills early is essential not...
Grand Opening of JCPS in JA BizTown
By Jillian Cantu
Community Involvement
Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana celebrated the grand opening of a new Jefferson County Public Schools storefront at JA BizTown in Louisville. The interactive space allows elementary students to explore leadership, teamwork, and financial decision-making by role-playing a student-led public school district, complete with a kid superintendent.
The JCPS storefront helps students connect classroom...
Preparing the Next Generation of Leaders: Junior Achievement and Staples Expand Partnership
Blog from JA USA
By Elizabeth Stepanek
Corporate Responsibility
Preparing students for the future of work takes more than classroom instruction—it takes collaboration between educators, communities, and the business leaders shaping tomorrow’s workforce. That’s why Junior Achievement USA is proud to expand its partnership with Staples to help more students across the country gain access to career-connected learning...
Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana Honors Chuck Summers as Volunteer of the Year
By Jillian Cantu
Community Involvement
Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana has named Chuck Summers its Volunteer of the Year, recognizing his 11 years of service impacting more than 2,200 students in classrooms and thousands more through JA Inspire career exploration. Beyond volunteering in 55 classes, Summers serves as a liaison with Cherry Bekaert, helping expand corporate engagement and volunteer participation. His dedication,...
JA’s Outcomes-Based Strategic Blueprint
Blog from JA USA
By Elizabeth Stepanek
Corporate Responsibility
At Junior Achievement, we believe every student deserves a future filled with choices and opportunities. That belief is the foundation of JA’s outcomes-based strategic blueprint; a clear, intentional approach to education that starts not with programs, but with the outcomes that matter most for students’ long-term...
Preparing Students for What’s Next: Key Insights from a Recent JA Alumni Survey
Blog from JA USA
By Elizabeth Stepanek
Corporate Responsibility
Our recent survey of Gen Z and Millennial JA alumni demonstrate and reflects the tangible ways JA is helping students prepare...
Education for What’s Next: Powering Economic Mobility
Blog from JA USA
By Elizabeth Stepanek
Corporate Responsibility
What’s next? It’s the question on everyone’s mind. Technologies we’ve never seen before are reshaping the world in ways we never imagined. Jobs people rely on today may not exist...