In the last academic year 4,950 students across the island’s schools have benefited from the work of leading educational charity, Junior Achievement.

For those unfamiliar with the charity’s work, Junior Achievement’s classroom-based programmes help young people to make the link between education and employment.

The programmes are run by volunteers from the business community who spend the day in the classroom with the students to help prepare them for the world of work.

Interacting with a business professional means that students are given a learning experience that is both stimulating and inclusive regardless of their academic ability.

In the last academic year 304 volunteers donated 1,650 hours to the charity to help deliver to programmes across all primary and secondary schools.

Junior Achievement’s programmes are provided at no cost and are accessible to every student in education in the Isle of Man. To do this the charity must raise £300,000 every year.

Team members have this year been celebrating the charity’s centenary.

Some 98% of students who took part in the ’Get a Job’ programme said they felt more knowledgeable about how to prepare for a job interview and what questions to ask an employer.

Some 97% of students who signed up to the company programme, in which students sets up and run their own business, said it had helped them to develop employability skills.

Chief executive Sue Cook said: ’Junior Achievement is an excellent example of what can be achieved when education, the public and private sector work in collaboration for the benefit of young people. We’re very grateful to all our supporters and volunteers for making 2019 another successful year.’

To support the charity or learn more about becoming a classroom volunteer visit jaiom.im or call Sue Cook on 666266.