By partnering with energy companies, Junior Achievement (JA) is equipping students with the knowledge required to get and keep a job in this high-growth, high-demand industry. Volunteers from the energy industry share professional experiences with students, adding a real-world dimension to JA’s proven programs.  This year, 440 volunteers from the energy industry will impact more than 12,000 local students.

In addition to providing traditional classroom volunteers and participating in events such as the JA Bowl-A-Thon, following are some additional ways that energy companies are currently working with JA to give students a competitive advantage when they enter the workforce.

JA In-Classroom Programs
Anadarko created a set of interactive activities to accompany the third grade program, JA Our City. Volunteers from Anadarko are presenting the activities, which highlight careers within the energy industry, in 30 local classrooms.

Encana Oil & Gas (USA) sponsors JA Our Region. As a result, every fourth grade classroom receives supplemental materials that educate students about Colorado’s many resources. The supplements also highlight local entrepreneurs and their impact on business throughout Colorado’s history.

DCP Midstream, SM Energy, Suncor Energy and Xcel Energy are participating in JA in a Day events this spring. This format allows a group of volunteers to adopt an entire elementary or middle school for a day. Volunteers teach the same JA programs as in the traditional format, only all in one day.

Noble Energy volunteers are presenting the JA Real Jobs: Energy Edition program to Englewood High School students. This seven week program is locally developed to enhance students’ knowledge of the high growth jobs in Colorado, specifically those within the energy industry.

JA Job Shadow
Encana, Noble Energy and SM Energy recently hosted 150 high school students for a JA Job Shadow.  Participating students had the opportunity to meet employees from different departments and learn about their jobs. Students licked rocks with a geologist, studied up on the math behind drilling sites, learned how much entry level positions earn, and even created security badges with the facilities team.

JA Finance Park
Anadarko, Encana, Noble Energy, SM Energy and Xcel Energy also provide volunteer and financial support to JA Finance Park. JA Finance Park, presented by Great-West Financial, is a hands-on, real-life simulation that helps middle and high school students become financially literate. JA Finance Park is offered at no cost to students or schools thanks to the support of volunteers and donors.

JA Igniting the American Spirit
In addition to sponsoring the JA Bowl-A-Thon, Suncor Energy provided significant financial support to help launch JA Igniting the American Spirit, a three-year demonstration project that proved and improved the impact JA can make on young people’s desire and ability to participate in the free enterprise system.

Denver Petroleum Club Gives Back
JA is one of the beneficiaries for the Denver Petroleum Club’s Charity Ball. The annual charity ball supports the mentoring program and the charities that the mentors/mentees have selected to work with. William Waldheim, a mentor from DCP Midstream and JA board member, selected JA for his project. William and his mentees volunteered together at a JA in a Day at Kenton Elementary School in April.