This March, the Company Programme Trade Fair organised by Junior Achievement (JA) Cyprus took place at The Mall of Cyprus in Nicosia.
During the two-day fair, over 400 student entrepreneurs, aged 15-18, successfully showcased and sold their innovative products and services. The participants represented 54 student companies from all over Cyprus.
A Jury Committee comprised of honorary guests, including Elena Pantazidou, BSM’s Corporate Human Resources Director, visited the student company stands to interview and evaluate each business proposal. This was part of the overall assessment, which will determine the 10 finalists, who will pitch their ideas at the Year Competition Finale and Award Ceremony in April.
For the fifth consecutive year, the student companies were formed as part of the Company Programme that runs in public and private schools across Cyprus.
Through this Programme students are offered the opportunity to learn and experience how to take a business idea from concept to reality. For a whole academic year, students run and own a registered company, while equipping themselves with entrepreneurial skills, financial literacy and work readiness skills.
BSM supports this initiative to help young girls and boys become successful at global economy and to empower them with the values and life skills to succeed both personally and professionally.
In addition to the Fair, BSM participated in the JA More Than Money programme, which is designed to help students, aged 10-12, develop a basic understanding of economic terms and business skills.
Guidance was provided by ‘mentors’ from local businesses, including BSM team members, who engaged students with business games, illustrated manuals and simple exercises in order to deepen their understanding of money in everyday life.
The experience was equally valuable for the Mentors, who gained moral satisfaction from contributing their knowledge to youth learning and further attained access to innovative educational programmes and teaching practices.
Both programmes are an extension of the Junior Achievement (JA) Europe organisation, which aims to activate youth for future jobs.
BSM supports knowledge sharing and innovative ideas as part of its global Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives that positively impact the next generation of young talents.
