Manx charity Junior Achievement (JA) has launched the Hub, a dedicated state-of-the art meeting space which will be made available free of charge to students participating in JA’s company programme.
The JA Hub is situated at the Douglas headquarters of Junior Achievement and has been sponsored by KPMG, The Stars Group, Baker Tilley Isle of Man, Capital International Group, Continent 8 Technologies and Sure. The fully serviced boardroom/meeting room is equipped with a printer and PC with Microsoft Office and offers free wi-fi, free calls to Isle of Man and UK landlines, conference and presentation facilities, on-site support from the JA team and free parking.
Junior Achievement chief executive Sue Cook said: ‘Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, who all recognise the value of the company programme and the importance of equipping young people with the entrepreneurial skills they’ll need to succeed in a global economy, we’ve been able to take the support we offer students participating in the programme to a new and improved level.
‘Experience has shown that although students may have the creative vision, resourcefulness and skills required for the company programme, often it’s the practical elements they have difficulties with - such as access to a quiet workspace, quality equipment and first-class communications - to develop their ideas. It was against this background that we set up the Hub, a facility which answers all those needs and more.’
The Hub was officially opened by the Department of Economic Development Minister Laurence Skelly MHK who said: ‘It’s inspiring to see such a strong partnership between Junior Achievement and our private sector in the shared goal of supporting our young entrepreneurs.
‘The Isle of Man is committed to being an Island of Enterprise and Opportunity and initiatives such as this are important in nurturing innovation and ambition from a young age. I wish JA and the students every success in their ventures at the new Hub.’
The Hub at Junior Achievement Isle of Man, Suite 2, Peterson House, Middle River Industrial Estate, Douglas. 666266. For bookings, visit jaiom.im
Photo - Department of Economic Development Minister Laurence Skelly MHK is pictured with sponsors and the Junior Achievement team at the official opening of the JA Hub. Photo Andrew Barton.
