Breaking down barriers to help youth into in-demand careers
Spotlight on the work of Junior Achievement of South Florida, an organization chosen for the 2025 Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator. JA partners with local governments, schools, and businesses to impact more than 80,000 students each year.
Hospitality, construction, water utilities – and building yachts. These are just some of the prospective careers for young people after completing programs run by Junior Achievement of South Florida.
The nonprofit empowers students from underserved communities by giving them the skills and opportunities to secure jobs in high-demand industries.
Junior Achievement of South Florida (JA) partners with local governments, schools, and businesses to impact more than 80,000 students each year, assisted by more than 5,000 trained corporate and community volunteers and mentors. In total, over 1.2 million young people have been reached since the organization was founded in 1959.
Significant growth is planned over the next five years. So JA was delighted to be chosen by the Global Business Coalition for Education to take part in the 2025 Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator. With employers across all sectors in the United States struggling to find young talent with the expertise they need, the Accelerator is part of a nationwide drive to ensure that by 2030 all young Americans will have the skills needed to find work in a rapidly-changing job market.
The Accelerator equips nonprofits with the tools and support they need to make a real difference in the lives of young people from underserved communities.
Debbie Hammer, JA’s Director of Development, said: “We’re working on breaking down barriers that prevent students from completing workforce readiness programs and accessing meaningful work-based experiences. By being part of the Accelerator, we hope to enhance program effectiveness, scale our impact, and engage a stronger, more diverse base of supporters to empower more young people with the confidence and skills to navigate their futures.”
JA’s mission is to empower a generation of students equipped with the knowledge, ability, and confidence to navigate their futures, drive the economy, and lead the community in Broward and South Palm Beach counties.
By joining this national network, we can significantly enhance our impact and reach
Debbie Hammer, Junior Achievement of South Florida's Director of Development
Key initiatives include:
- JA Career Bound Program. It prepares high school students for the workforce through leadership development, career exploration, and soft skills training such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Includes internships, job shadowing, and direct engagement with business professionals.
- Summer Youth Employment Program. JA partners with local businesses and organizations to offer students valuable paid work experience in various industries from hospitality to technology. Participants receive training in professional skills such as resume writing, interviewing, and workplace etiquette.
- Pre-Apprenticeship Program. JA’s Construction, Water Utilities, Marine and Yacht, and programs are designed to provide hands-on training in high-demand industries. In partnership with local businesses, these offer students practical skills and on-the-job training.
The Marine and Yacht program introduces students to South Florida’s thriving maritime industry, where they learn the skills necessary to pursue careers in yacht building and repair. One student who graduated from the program is Jacob Wilson, who now works at DeAngelo Marine Exhaust.
He said: “The program really works and changes the trajectory of someone’s life. I was able to find a whole new world of possibilities in the maritime industry. It opened new career paths for me to explore.
“JA made sure students learned everything needed to be successful in the work environment. This is a program that works. JA is the first step into a new horizon. “
By taking part in the Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator, JA and the other organizations chosen will join the alumni network of 28 previous participants which collectively have positively impacted more than 250,000 young people. When they complete the program, nonprofits and their leaders stay in the growing network – helping them to work with others and get peer support.
Debbie Hammer said: “JA’s participation in the Accelerator aligns perfectly with our mission to empower young people from underserved communities with the skills and confidence to succeed in their futures. By joining this national network, we can significantly enhance our impact and reach.
“Participating in the Accelerator will not only enhance our current efforts but also position JA as a key player in addressing youth unemployment on a national scale.”
Businesses that support the Accelerator have opportunities to enhance brand recognition and strengthen community ties. They can also provide pro-bono products and services to support participating organizations.
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