Page 4254 - Week 11 - Thursday, 17 Sept 2009
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Australians. The organisation is not for profit, non-government and a charitable institution. Their mission is to build partnerships with business, government, education and the community to provide all Australians, particularly our young Australians, with the opportunity to access vital business education programs regardless of location, circumstances, curricula choice, career path or academic strengths.
One of the most successful YAA programs is the business skills program. Groups of 15 to 25-year-olds participate in the program over 24 weeks. During this time they develop their business skills through real-life business experience. The program starts with the establishment of a business and the development of a business plan for the six-month program. The duration of the program sees participants sell shares, develop a product, market and sell the product and participate in professional development.
Participants learn about corporate governance, ethics and law, and directors’ duties. At the end of the program they formally wind up the business and return money to shareholders. Having completed the program, participants have a much better understanding of the business world, about corporate governance and responsibility and, of course, teamwork and cooperation.
One of the key events of the YAA calendar is the trade fair. Last Saturday morning I was pleased to be able to visit the Young Achievement Australia trade fair at the Tuggeranong Hyperdome. Each of the groups puts their product on display and competes with other groups to catch the eye of customers and make a sale. There was an impressive diversity of business flair, expertise and creativity on show.
There were 12 groups participating from the ACT, students from secondary schools and tertiary students. Each YAA company must include the letters YA in the title and the groups are named as follows: Cyanide, Disloyal, Himalaya Green, Innovatya, Ya Cuppa, Yaardvark, Yalpha, Yamel, Y-Axis, Ozya, Yappy and Ya Es.
Of course the YAA programs cannot be delivered here in the ACT without the commitment of staff at the local office. Trish Grice is ably assisted by Sam Jackson-Hope and Laura Clark in coordinating activities of the local groups. Both Trish and her staff often go beyond the call of duty to ensure all the groups have the resources and advice they need to make the programs a success. Trish really has been the driving force of YAA here in the ACT and region for many years. She is a real credit to the organisation and to the Canberra community.
The organisation works on the back of volunteers and sponsorships. Some of the volunteers include mentors who attend student company meetings and provide expert advice along the way. There are many companies that support this organisation, and please bear with me as I name a few of the ones involved here in the ACT.
They include the Australian National University, ActewAGL, Nan’s Child Care Centre, Bovis Lend Lease, Joy Mining Machinery, the Australian Industry Group, Wollongong City Council, the Illawarra Mercury, Goulburn Mulwaree Council, the Chief Minister’s Department business and industry development branch, the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Wagga Council,
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