Nurturing Youthful Entrepreneurial Spirit Press Release Basseterre, 30 May, 2016
– Budding entrepreneurs in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis continue to benefit from contributions to their development from CIBC FirstCaribbean. “CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank has been a reliable supporter of the Junior Achievement (JA) Programme and this year, as a bronze sponsor, the Bank’s contribution has once more made the JA Fair possible,” says Ms Tracey Herbert, Executive Director, Junior Achievement St. Kitts and Nevis.
Ms Herbert thanked CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank for its continued support and added, “The annual Trade Fair is a major expense in the Junior Achievement Company Programme (JACP) and without financial support from sponsors, investors, and contributors, the event would not be possible.”
Commenting on the Bank’s sponsorship, Manager Retail Banking and Operations/Country Lead, G Diane Francis, says: “Since the inception of Junior Achievement (JA) in St. Kitts and Nevis in 2004, CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank has demonstrated its commitment to nurturing the youth and in particular youthful entrepreneurial spirit in our communities, through continuous sponsorship and involvement.”
Zaria Browne of Unique ‘N’ Rare Company, one of the JA companies, said that it had been inspiring, fun, and educational to be part of the JA Program, and that it was truly rewarding to take something and watch it grow from an idea to reality. She thanked the sponsors, such as CIBC FirstCaribbean, who have consistently contributed to making the Trade Fair possible.
The Junior Achievement Company Programme (JACP), the flagship of the JA Programmes in St. Kitts and Nevis, continues to be a strong teaching entrepreneurship module for students in the 3rd and 4th forms of the secondary schools. The annual Trade Fair, held on 13th May this year, is the highlight of the JACP and provides the opportunity for the students to showcase their products and or services. Quite recently the focus has been placed on the production of eco-friendly products or products made from recycled materials. 150 students from five (5) high schools participated in the 2015-2016 cycle of the JA Company Program.
The Junior Achievement Programme is one of the many programmes throughout the region that are supported by CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank to reach out into communities and make a difference. Other programmes include the Adopt-a–Cause staff volunteerism programme, a variety of scholarships throughout the region through the University of the West Indies, the Caribbean Association of Youth Business Programmes – which supports the development of entrepreneurship among Caribbean youth, and the other programmes of the bank’s Memorandum of Understanding with the University of the West Indies.
