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JN Fund Managers Commits $1M to JAJ

Published:Tuesday | December 23, 2014 | 3:06 PMKeisha Hill
Contributed Photo General Manager of JN Fund Managers (JNFM), Brando Hayden (seated left) and president of Junior Achievement Jamaica Alphie Mullings-Aiken (seated right) sign a memorandum of understanding that will see JNFM supporting eight schools in JAJ's Company of Entrepreneurs Programme. Witnessing the signing are (standing from left) Rosalie Bogle, teacher at St Hugh's High School; Deveisha Shedden, president of the St Hugh's student company Swantech; Tamali Smith, president of Ardenne High School's student company Stycolastic; Hayley Crosdale, JNFM's assistant vice-president sales and client services; and Orrette Muir, teacher at Ardenne High.

JN Fund Managers (JNFM) recently announced a renewed partnership with Junior Achievement Jamaica (JAJ) that will see approximately 270 students from nine schools being trained in leadership and entrepreneurship.

This will be facilitated through the JAJ's Company of Entrepreneurs (JACE) programme in which high-school students are guided in starting and running businesses. Brando Hayden, general manager of JNFM, said that his company, through the members of his financial advisory team who coach the students, has partnered with the teacher-leaders to transform the business and financial knowledge base of the students involved.

"Creating enterprise starts with fostering the mindset needed to innovate, manage and take bold steps. We are extremely pleased to continue our support to JAJ and, in particular, the JACE programme," Hayden said. He was speaking at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between JNFM and JAJ, held recently at the company's head office in Kingston.

"We are creating leaders in entrepreneurial thought and action. We have witnessed the positive impact of the programme on the students. The successes of the alumnae reflect this," Hayden added. The JACE programme, which is now in its fifth year in Jamaica, consists of a four-month, hands-on learning experience while the students run their businesses. Additional components such as webinars, local

and international conferences and competitions are also organised for the students' exposure and further development. This is the third year that JNFM will be partnering in the execution of this programme and the company has committed $1 million dollars towards the execution of the programme for the 2014-2015 academic year.

JNFM's vice-president of

marketing and public relations, Annette Clayton Baker, indicated that JNFM would also continue

to fund JNFM's passport initiative where the company pays

for application fees and photos for up to 70 students in the

programme.

"Our youth must become familiar with conventional business practices as they conduct various transactions. Owning the passports, we believe, will enable them to engage relevant agencies and services that require nationally accepted identification. These passports will also be used by the top students, who will have the opportunity to represent Jamaica at international conferences and competitions," Clayton Baker said.

Forty-four schools are participating in the JACE programme this year. The schools sponsored by JNFM are Ardenne High, Herbert Morrison High, Holmwood Technical High, St Jago High, St George's College, St Hugh's High, Kingston College and Vere Technical High. Volunteers from JNFM will also be working with the students to strengthen their products and grow their businesses.