Preparing Tomorrow's Workforce

The GE family has been an active global partner with Junior Achievement to provide thousands of young people with access to JA's work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy programs. Since 2004, the GE Foundation has committed more than $6.6 million to the GE-JA Worldwide Global Education Initiative, providing programs to more than 300,000 students worldwide.

During the 2007-2008 year, 3,648 GE volunteers provided JA programs to more than 100,000 high-need students. This does not take in account additional GE commitments made to local JA boards, special events, and additional JA programs taught outside of this initiative.

GE executives serve on local JA Member boards of directors. For example, Edmundo Vallejo, President and Chief Executive, GE Money-Latin America, provides leadership to the organization through their service on the JA Worldwide Board of Directors.

"From Harlem to Shanghai and Mexico City to Delhi, we are reaching out to hundreds of GE communities around the globe to support innovative programs aimed at spurring educational opportunity and community success. Whether championing minority education or improving the capacity of schools to prepare tomorrow's workforce, GE's culture of leadership, performance, accountability and engagement contribute in unique and powerful ways."

— Robert L. Corcoran, President and Chairman, GE Foundation

What’s New

• The GE Foundation awarded JA Worldwide $1,291,000 for the 2008-09 GE-JA Worldwide Global Education Initiative. This generous investment provides needed resources to 75 JA operations around the world to support GE volunteer activities. Beyond GE's significant financial support, JA is also deeply appreciative of the outstanding involvement of Edmundo Vallejo, GE's Regional Executive of Latin America Operations, without whose personal leadership this grant would not be possible.

• In November 2008, the GE Foundation invested $2,800 to start a JA operation in Jamaica. Several GE associates have been instrumental in this important project. Their commitment will greatly assist in building capacity and reaching young people in the first year of operations. In Jamaica, Junior Achievement programs help students gain insight into the complexities and rewards of entrepreneurship and business in today's interdependent market economy.

• For the third consecutive year JA recognized GE for their commitment to strengthening our nation and for making a difference through volunteer service by awarding GE with The President's Volunteer Service Gold Award from the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.