15 By bringing business volunteers in the classroom to share their experience and mentor, students get a better overview of career opportunities, what skills are needed to succeed and they start to consider entrepreneurship as a potential career opportunity. This year-long programme invites students to create their own venture, taking an idea from conception to reality. Working as a team, and coached by a business mentor, participants manage all aspects of the business including raising capital, production, marketing and finance. They culminate the year by participating in competitions. Students are invited to take part in a self-assessment and a knowledge and skills test to earn their Entrepreneurial Skills Pass TM . Some skills in particular are in high demand, notably adaptability, creativity, leadership, and problem solving. These four are amongst the qualities and competences developed by the JA Company Programme leading to the Entrepreneurial Skills Pass TM . 344, 754 Students 17,431 Teachers 40 Countries 20,832 Volunteers 8,408 Schools 28,272 Generating mini companies Working as a team, and coached by a business mentor, participants manage all aspects of the business including raising capital, production, marketing and f inance. EDUCATION MATTERS JA COMPANY PROGRAMME