Junior Achievement NEPA announces JA Company Insight program

WILKES-BARRE — Junior Achievement of Northeast Pennsylvania on Thursday announced the launch of a new pilot program — JA Company Insight — in collaboration with Wilkes-Barre Area School District and Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies of Wilkes-Barre.

Susan Magnotta, President of Junior Achievement of NEPA, said the program will provide students in Wilkes-Barre Area’s Business Academy a better understanding of the types of jobs available in the insurance industry and the requirements for various positions at GUARD.

“It’s a win-win situation for the students and the companies to connect and learn about what each can offer the other,” Magnotta said of the collaboration. “We are excited to pilot JA Company Insight and look forward to collaborating with additional schools and companies.”

On Nov. 29, students visited GUARD for a job fair where they had the opportunity to interact with representatives from many different departments and learn about the career opportunities available to both high school and college graduates.

In preparation, GUARD employees have been working with students in the classroom, utilizing JA curriculum, to help students work on resumes and polish interview and presentation skills through a six week Junior Achievement course.

JA Company Insight will culminate with students returning to GUARD in the spring to experience a job shadow day with employees in a department in their area of interest.

“Students participating in the program will shadow employees in various GUARD departments to obtain a feel for the day-to-day operations of a potential future career,” said Hal Gabriel, Administrator of the Business Academy and Special Programs at Wilkes-Barre Area.

Carl Witkowski, Chief Operating Officer at GUARD, added, “They will also learn about some of the incentive programs GUARD offers, including internships, hiring and training opportunities, and tuition reimbursement benefits.

Gabriel said the mission of the Wilkes-Barre Area Business Academy is to provide students with an integrated program of academic subjects and competitive business practices, preparing them for post secondary education or entering the workforce with competitive business skills. He said this immersive program includes hands-on learning experiences focused on community engagement and building business relationships.

Magnotta said Junior Achievement provides classroom programs on financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship; a middle-school YES! (Your Economic Success) program; and a JA Inspire Career Discovery event in the spring for high school students to explore numerous career options.

“JA continues to expand its programs to further inspire students toward a pathway for future success,” Magnotta said.

Witkowski said Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies is an Equal Opportunity Employer that offers a collaborative company culture with outstanding benefits and competitive compensation.

“The organization is always seeking talented and diverse individuals to join its team and establish a rewarding career,” he said.