Junior Achievement

The message from education leaders is clear: the connection between classroom learning and future economic success needs strengthening.

As AI, automation, and globalization continue reshaping the workforce, preparing students for what’s next requires more than academic achievement alone. Students need durable skills like critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, and collaboration paired with real-world experiences that connect education to opportunity.

Career-connected learning is no longer supplemental. It’s essential.

Discover our full findings of our latest research here: https://bit.ly/4uSlu3B

Here’s a question worth asking: Are we truly preparing students for long-term economic success in a rapidly changing world?

Junior Achievement’s latest thought leadership whitepaper examines the growing disconnect between what students learn in school and the skills they need to thrive in today’s economy.

New research conducted with Basinait Insights found that more than 90% of education leaders recognize this gap, and agree that stronger collaboration with external partners is essential to closing it.

Explore the insights shaping the future of education: https://bit.ly/4uSlu3B

When education and industry connect, students gain the skills and experiences they need to thrive.

Through powerful partnerships, Junior Achievement helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world opportunity, preparing young people for success in an evolving economy.

Understanding how to work with money is a career-connected skill needed to promote the economic mobility of students. A big thanks to the American Council of Life Insurers and its members for supporting Junior Achievement and the students it serves through the 2026 !

Every experience with Junior Achievement tells a larger story about what’s possible when students are given access to real-world learning.

Whether through mentorship, classroom experiences, volunteering, or partnership, these moments help students build the confidence, skills, and connections they need for what comes next.

Share your story with us: https://bit.ly/3QWgXP9

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The path from learning to earning has changed. In today’s rapidly evolving economy, academic knowledge alone isn’t enough. Students need the skills, experiences, and confidence to navigate what comes next.

Building financial capability, career-connected learning, and entrepreneurial thinking early helps create stronger pathways to economic mobility, for students and for our future workforce.

Our latest blog explores how these foundational skills help bridge the growing gap between education and employment.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3QHqiKF

Junior Achievement isn’t something added on, and it’s not just learning from a textbook. JA is a true partner for schools, helping students build real skills, real confidence, and real connections that prepare them for the future.

Through hands-on, experiential learning, we help young people imagine their possibilities and map their own path forward.

This is what opening doors to opportunity looks like. 🚪🌍

Junior Achievement and Chime are working together to advance financial progress through career-connected learning. Learn more here: https://jausa.ja.org/news/press-releases/junior-achievement-and-chime-partner-to-empower-students-with-financial-and-career-connected-skills-for-a-growing-digital-economy

35% of Americans earning under $50K struggle to cover expenses, and only 11% of those earning $100K+ report the same challenge.

Research from Junior Achievement + Ipsos highlights the link between education, income, and financial stability.

🔗 https://bit.ly/4vhPuHfhttps://bit.ly/4vhPuHf

82% of Gen Y and Gen Z JA alumni who attended college say they chose a high-demand degree because of their JA experience.

That’s a powerful indicator of relevance.

When students can see the connection between classroom learning, workforce trends, and real economic opportunity, they make more strategic postsecondary decisions. The result?

Stronger alignment between education pathways and labor market needs.