Barclays Wealth is giving full support to the extensive Junior Achievement Isle of Man programme. 

In tandem with ?10,000 of financial support, Barclays Wealth employees on the Island are spending time contributing to the work of the JA programmes.

This volunteer work will help contribute to the local target of 500 volunteer days to be carried out in 2009.

Ian Pilley, Head of Operational Change, explained, ‘As a key Isle of Man employer, Barclays Wealth recognises the important role of charities such as Junior Achievement, to both the Island community as a whole and its individuals.

"I believe that through Junior Achievement, we can help influence the calibre of people entering the workplace, developing  real-life skills and making a real difference.

"In addition, our employees achieve invaluable self-development experience by volunteering to help implement the programmes."

Ron Spencer, Acting Chief Executive of Junior Achievement, said, "Junior Achievement is a Manx registered Charity whose core purpose is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.

"Each year, JA IOM increases the number of opportunities available for the development of our young people and we are indebted to Barclays Wealth not only for their invaluable financial support and encouragement but for the personal input from Ian Pilley and his colleagues in delivering the programmes.

"By providing positive role models, we believe that we inspire and develop an appreciation of enterprise, business and economics in our students and by helping them see the relevancy of learning and education improve their career prospects in the future."

Alongside colleagues, Ian spent a day teaching personal economics at St Ninian’s High School earlier this year.

Pictured: (l -r): Kirsty Coffey, Junior Achievement, Ian Pilley, Barclays Wealth, Ron Spencer, Junior Achievement, Maxine Ord and Lyndsey Jones, Barclays Wealth.