All posts tagged: Junior Achievement of South Florida

Golf For A Cause Benefits JA Programs

Golf For A Cause Benefits JA Programs

FORT LAUDERDALE COUNTRY CLUB OPENS ITS DOORS TO “GOLF FOR A CAUSE” BENEFITTING JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF SOUTH FLORIDA ON FRIDAY, MARCH 20

MEDIA CONTACT:
Fran Folic
GPR | Goodman Public Relations
(954) 446-0807/15
[email protected]

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (January 30, 2020) – Fort Lauderdale Country Club, the oldest private country club in Broward County, will host “Golf For A Cause” on Friday, March 20, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., to beneift Junior Achievement of South Florida, a nonprofit organization that inspires and prepares the next generation of fiscally responsible community and business leaders. This day of philanthropy celebrates the completion of the Club’s significant North Course renovation project.

As part of this charitable initiative, Fort Lauderdale County Club will be opening its doors to non-members to exclusively enjoy a day on the fairways while making a difference in the lives of local kids. The community is invited to gather with friends and reserve a time to play 18 holes of championship golf on either Fort Lauderdale Country Club’s newly renovated North Course or its lushly landscaped South Course.

Last year, Fort Lauderdale Country Club helped to raise nearly $800,000 for various charities in Broward County.

“We are proud to support Junior Achievement’s investment in our youth and the invaluable opportunities the organization provides regarding financial literacy and entrepreneurial training,” said Michael O’Brien, general manager of Fort Lauderdale Country Club. “We encourage members, guests and the community-at-large to experience golfing at its finest while giving back to the community.”

The North Course project, overseen by Kipp Schulties, principal architect of Kipp Schulties Golf Design (KSGD), underwent an extensive renovation including replacement of the greens and the provision of tees between 4,800 yards and 7,100 yards, making the course more enjoyable for both men and women of all abilities. The upgrades created an elevated level of excitement for members adding to the facility’s 18-Hole, Par 72 South Course which was built in 1926, remodeled twice and is often home to many corporate and non-profit events, annually.

In the Broward County area, which has numerous golf courses, Fort Lauderdale Country Club is a select private club that offers 36-holes of manicured championship golf in a forested park-like setting. Visually, the Club is truly a unique oasis as fairways are lined with stately native trees and colorful beds of flowers, as opposed to houses. Inside, the venue provides a variety of room and dining options, an experienced event staff and a unique “inside-outside” Plantation room.

“Junior Achievement of South Florida is honored to have the support of Fort Lauderdale Country Club and the golfing community to help fund our programming to over 50,000 K-12 students in Broward and south Palm Beach counties,” said Laurie Sallarulo, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of South Florida. “This opportunity will help us put key economic and workforce lessons into action while teaching our future leaders the value of contributing to the community.”

The golf fee to participate in “Golf For A Cause” is $125 per person with approximately $90 going directly to benefit Junior Achievement. The fee includes access to golf club amenities including a gold cart, practice facilities, dining areas and locker rooms. Golf club rentals are available for an additional fee. Tee time reservations are required and can be made by calling (954) 318-0190.

For more information about membership, please call (954) 318-0190, visit us online at www.fortlauderdalecc.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/FortLauderdaleCC, on Instagram at @fortlauderdalecountryclub or on YouTube.

About Junior Achievement of South Florida

Founded in 1959, Junior Achievement of South Florida aims to inspire and prepare youth to succeed in a global economy. It trains the next generation of business leaders, employees and consumers by educating students about financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work readiness. With the help of over 7,000 trained corporate and community volunteers and mentors, JA delivers over 20 unique programs to 50,000 students in classrooms throughout Broward and south Palm Beach counties and at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion on the Broward College North Campus, a first-class facility housing two JA BizTowns and JA Finance Park.For more information, call (954) 979-7100 or visit www.jasouthflorida.org.

About Fort Lauderdale County Club (FLCC)

Established in 1926, Fort Lauderdale Country Club (FLCC) is the oldest private country club in Broward County. FLCC offers 36 holes of championship golf on the newly renovated North Course and South Course plus a driving range and multiple practice areas situated on 288 acres of forested parkland featuring rolling fairways dotted with stately indigenous trees and accentuated with immaculately maintained foliage and flowers. FLCC includes a contemporary lakeside clubhouse with a center bar and sumptuous cuisine prepared by an award-winning chef. Golfers and guests can enjoy meals and snacks in the main dining room, Club Side, Men’s Grill or Plantation Room.The clubhouse also houses upscale amenities including a well-stocked Pro Shop, bag storage and a cart barn offering state-of-the-art GPS-equipped electric carts. FLCC is proud to be the home of esteemed PGA teaching professionals and boasts one of the largest women’s golf associations in Broward County. FLCC is conveniently located just five miles from the beaches at 415 Country Club Circle in Fort Lauderdale. For more information about membership, please call (954) 587-4700, visit us online at www.fortlauderdalecc.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/FortLauderdaleCC, on Instagram at @fortlauderdalecountryclub or on YouTube.

Golf For A Cause Benefits JA Programs
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Go Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale: JA World Uncorked

Go Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale: JA World Uncorked

SIP, SAMPLE AND SUPPORT

JA World Uncorked Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Culinary Signature Event

By Rose Faraone
December Go Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale

JA World Uncorked – one of South Florida’s favorite culinary events – started just over 10 years ago. Back in 2009, a group of 10 women joined together to create a fundraiser for Junior Achievement of South Florida’s educational programs. That group of 10 women is now the Circle of Wise Women and has grown to more than 100 strong.

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Go Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale: JA World Uncorked
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Trade School: A College Alternative in 2019

Trade School: A College Alternative in 2019

By Hannah Henry, Manager of Marketing & Public Relations, Brand
Junior Achievement USA

A survey conducted by Gallup and Strada Education Network revealed that 36% of those who attended college regret their choice of major. Of those who pursued or completed a bachelor’s degree, findings uncovered that 40% would pick a different field of study. That’s roughly $25,000 a year, for a student who is in-state attending a four-year university, to decide that their degree was not the best choice for them.

According to Mark Danaher, a career counselor at Newington High School in Newington, Connecticut, “My feeling is that high school students don’t have to know the exact career they want, but they should know how to explore careers and put time into investigating them and learning about their skills and interests.”

At 18 or 19, we are expecting teens to know their career-path and putting a hefty price tag on pursuing what they believe is the right option for them. But, are they being given all their options? All the while, some teens may not be exposed to alternatives outside of attending colleges, such as vocational schools.

To assist in the discovery of which path is right for you or your teen, here is an overview of how trade schools could be the perfect fit!

The Difference Between Trade and Vocational Schools

Vocational and trade schools are similar in nature as they both offer an accelerated path to get into a specific career. While most use them interchangeably as an educational institution that teaches individuals for a particular skill set, some identify them as having smaller differentiations. According to the U.S. Department of Education, technical schools teach the theory and science behind an occupation, while vocational schools may take a more hands-on approach to teach skills.

The Unique Perks of Attending a Trade School

Unlike traditional colleges, trade schools focus on one specific area of “trade” learning. This hyper-focus on a specific skill enables trade-schools to offer smaller classrooms with more one-on-one learning opportunities for the students. Additionally, vocational schools educate students of industry-specific rules and regulation, as well as real-work experiences to enable them to get familiar with the type of work they are pursuing.

The amount of time it takes to successfully complete trade school is another perk to this vocational path. While programs vary, vocational training can go from as little as ten weeks. In turn, this makes this educational career path highly appealing to those who are seeking to get into a profession as soon as possible.

With the unique benefits of vocation schooling, this route isn’t just for those who have graduated high school but also for those who are planning to enter a specific industry for the first time, reenter the workforce, and for those who are seeking to change their career path. The diversity amongst trade school students enables them to network and learn from one another, creating an inclusive learning environment.

Current Demand for Skilled Trades in 2019

A large majority, 70%, of construction companies across the country are having trouble finding qualified workers and construction isn’t the only industry suffering. It is estimated that every day for the next decade, 10,000 baby boomers will be reaching retirement age and will be leaving specialized positions in which fewer workers can fill. Luckily for trade schools, their robust skill-focused programs offer a bright future. Careers that will be experiencing more and more demand for skilled labor include:

–     Carpenter

Total new job openings: 83,800

Average salary: $51,120

–     Plumber

Total new job openings: 75,200

Average salary: $58,150

–     Electrician

Total new job openings: 59,600

Average salary: $59,190

Click here to explore possible career paths!

Think the trade-school path is right for you? Click here to learn more!

Program Introduces High Schoolers to Career Paths, Including Skilled Trades

Junior Achievement of South Florida offers its program JA Career Bound to high school students in South Florida. JA Career Bound is a cutting-edge, skills-building leadership program where participants learn the skills necessary to succeed in today’s workforce.

After an opening retreat, students meet once a month for program days focused on specific industries. Students visit some of South Florida’s premier businesses to learn firsthand about the career opportunities and what companies are looking for in future employees. Students learn from top executives who share their journeys to success.

We use interactive JA curriculum to teach key work skills, including communication, critical thinking, goal setting, interviewing, personal branding, problem-solving, public speaking, resume building and teamwork. At the end of the year, students will have the opportunity to put their skills into action by participating in various paid internships with job shadowing. For further details, including registration, CLICK HERE. 

Trade School: A College Alternative in 2019
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Top Soft Skills in the 21st Century Workplace

Top Soft Skills in the 21st Century Workplace

By Hannah Henry, Manager of Marketing & Public Relations, Brand
Junior Achievement USA

City & Guilds CEO, Chris Jones, once said, “Unfortunately, some people believe that soft skills aren’t that important. However, almost every employer I’ve ever talked to about this disagrees. In a world where job roles are changing rapidly, soft skills will be one of the few constants…” When you think about all of the new colleagues you have met over the years, the teams you’ve worked on, and the challenges you’ve faced within your business, soft-skills are at the heart of it all.

While some might argue that soft skills hold lesser value to a business, a report from International Association of Admin Professionals, OfficeTeam and HR.com reveals 67% of HR managers reported they would hire a candidate with strong soft skills, even if his or her technical skills were lacking. Why might this be? Employees with strong soft skills have the ability to grow and flourish in any environment due to the fact that they have experience and interpersonal skills that make adapting easier than those who lack such skills.

Soft skills include communications, listening, and emotional perceptivity, such as empathy and sympathy. These skills tend to reside in personal attributes, personality, and character traits, and social cues picked up throughout one’s life. These skills allow people to connect with one another by effectively “reading” those they interact with. These are not skills that are learned in a short period of time, instead, they are acquired, tuned, and even perfected throughout experiences and time.

Building Soft Skills in the Workplace

Research from the Hay Group identified managers that incorporate a range of “soft talent”, those with soft skills, in their leadership approach have been shown to increase their team performance by about 30%. Through the survey work of LinkedIn profiles of people who are getting hired at the highest rates, it was determined: creativity, persuasion, collaboration, adaptability, and time management were the 5 most in-demand soft skills sought by companies in 2019. How can a company harness these skills in their workplace? The answer is not to find new candidates to fill positions. Training in these areas is available. In fact, research from MIT Sloan determined that soft skills training may improve productivity within an organization. Findings also included that such training returned roughly 250% on investment within eight months post-study.

Finding Candidates with Soft Skills

Hard skills or technical skills are easier to identify when meeting a potential employee. For the most part, the candidate will include their experience and hard skills on their resume, as well as mention them in an interview. Soft skills are not so easy to identify. When you’re looking at a possible candidate for a position, most employers are looking to ensure a person can do the job at hand. They want to have the reassurance that this individual can handle the complexity of the workload and complete crucial projects. But by focusing on only this skillset, also known as “hard skills”, employers are overlooking the underlying skills that determine how a candidate will interact with those around them, be able to connect with their peers, managers, and even clients. Not everyone develops soft skills at the same pace, but experience assists with the development. More experience can equate to building stronger skills at a faster pace compared to those who have not stayed within a position or a company for long.

Interview Questions to Ask

LinkedIn revealed that only 60% of hiring managers agree that screening for soft skills is tough, but crucial as it will determine how new hires will be able to interact with your team. The professional networking platform identified 6 key soft skills and questions to ask to decode how a candidate’s level of soft skills.

1.  Adaptability

Ask the candidate to discuss a time when they were asked to do something they haven’t done before, how they reacted and what they learned.

2.  Culture Fit

Explore what the interviewee is looking for in a job by asking what three things are most important to them in a position or workplace environment.

3.  Collaboration

Have the candidate give examples of when they had to work with someone who was challenging to work with, how they handled working with this particular individual, and what the outcome was.

4.  Leadership

Ask the interviewee to discuss when something significant didn’t go according to plan at work, what was their role in the project or task, and the final result.

5.  Growth Potential

Have the candidate discuss how they handled a crisis or problem when their manager was unavailable and who they consulted with to determine the solution.

6.  Prioritization

Ask the interviewee to tell you about a time when they had to juggle several projects at the same time, how they were able to manage their time and the final result.

To learn more about how students can develop their soft skills to prepare for the workforce, check out JA Career Success®!

In addition, Junior Achievement of South Florida offers its program JA Career Bound to high school students in South Florida. JA Career Bound is a cutting-edge, skills-building leadership program where participants learn the skills necessary to succeed in today’s workforce.

After an opening retreat, students meet once a month for program days focused on specific industries. Students visit some of South Florida’s premier businesses to learn firsthand about the career opportunities and what companies are looking for in future employees. Students learn from top executives who share their journeys to success.

We use interactive JA curriculum to teach key work skills, including communication, critical thinking, goal setting, interviewing, personal branding, problem-solving, public speaking, resume building and teamwork. At the end of the year, students will have the opportunity to put their skills into action by participating in various paid internships with job shadowing. For further details, including registration, CLICK HERE. 

Top Soft Skills in the 21st Century Workplace
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Research Park at Florida Atlantic University® to Celebrate 2019 Awards

Research Park at Florida Atlantic University® to Celebrate 2019 Awards

By Brittany Sylvestri
Research Park at Florida Atlantic University

The Research Park at Florida Atlantic University recently named the recipients of its fourth annual Research Park Annual Awards. The awards celebration will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at The Addison, 2 East Camino Real, Boca Raton. Tickets cost $125 per person.

The Research Park awards recognize distinguished contributions to the Research Park’s mission to create and sustain the ideal environment for innovation and invention, maximizing the academic and entrepreneurial talent and regional resources in South Florida to accelerate economic development and prosperity.

“The Research Park at FAU Awards highlight the work of our stakeholders to make the South Florida region more innovative and competitive in the knowledge economy and this year’s recipients personify the mission of the Research Park at FAU, each one is innovating and bringing new forces to bear which enrich our region,” said Andrew Duffell, president of the Research Park at FAU.

The award recipients for 2019 are:

Distinguished Entrepreneur: Rodrigo Griesi is one of the driving forces behind DECORA, a Brazilian startup that was recently acquired by Creative Drive, a content creation engine. Griesi’s involvement at the Research Park at FAU and his participation in its economic gardening initiatives helped the company get noticed and acquired by Creative Drive in 2018. He has 20 years of experience building and running new businesses in the technology industry. Griesi started at DECORA in its early stages, as an angel investor, then became the country manager, bringing DECORA’s services to market.

Distinguished Researcher: Borko Furht, Ph.D. has several patents pending and interesting corporate interactions that will leverage patents. Furht is a faculty member in FAU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science and is the site leader for the NSF-funded Center for Advanced Knowledge Enablement, which has been joined by several Research Park at FAU companies. His current research is focused on software designed for the next stage of video compression technology.

Distinguished Organization: Junior Achievement of South Florida is training the next generation of business leaders and employees by educating students about financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work readiness. Its mission is to inspire and prepare youth to succeed in a global economy. Junior Achievement delivers more than 20 unique programs to 50,000 students in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Distinguished Leader: Honorable Michael Udine is the District 3 commissioner in Broward County, a position he was elected to in 2016. He advocates for innovation and knowledge-based economic development, supporting regional organizations’ initiatives. When introduced to one of the Research Park at FAU’s entrepreneurs he immediately started business development for him. In addition, Udine is a director at Legacy Bank of Florida, a small community bank assisting small businesses in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

To purchase tickets to attend the event, click here. For more information about the Research Park at FAU, visit research-park.org.

Research Park at Florida Atlantic University® to Celebrate 2019 Awards
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Sea the World Storefront to be Revealed in JA Finance Park

Sea the World Storefront to be Revealed in JA Finance Park

New Generation of Youth to be Introduced to the Plethora of Careers Available in South Florida’s Most Lucrative Job Market

Fort Lauderdale, FL – April 19, 2019: South Florida’s marine industry is a 12 billion/year economic engine that provides the tri-county with 142,000 careers/jobs. In an industry where the skilled trades and specialized career tracks are crucial to its vitality, the maritime community is facing a workforce that’s aging out with skilled labor being very hard to find. Understanding the need to keep the industry thriving with a new generation of workers, Advanced Mechanical Enterprises/AMESOLUTIONS.COM, and 23 marine industry companies have joined forces with Junior Achievement of South Florida.

On May 1,2019, Junior Achievement of South Florida will unveil the Marine Industry Storefront, Sea the World, in the Patten Family Finance Park located at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Well Pavilion. Each year more than 20,000 eighth grade students from Broward and south Palm Beach Counties learn how financial decisions will impact their lives. These include expenses related to family health care, real estate and home improvements, automobiles, insurance, entertainment, education, and purchasing items such as clothing, furniture and groceries.

Prior to visiting JA Finance Park, students engage in a comprehensive classroom curriculum that teaches them about finances, careers, income, expenses, savings and credit. This program helps students recognize that their education decisions affect their career options and have an impact on their potential income and quality of life. At the end of the classroom instruction, students visit JA Finance Park and put what they learned into action by managing a real world inspired personal budget based on local careers in a simulated city. Students are guided by trained volunteers.

“As an owner/operator of a small business invested in the maritime world, I’ve seen first hand how difficult it is to find skilled labor to meet our business growth,” said Christine Battles, CAO, Advanced Mechanical Enterprises/AMESOLUTIONS.COM. “Our industry is a gold mine of opportunities for the next generation. I’ve made a personal commitment to inspire their interest in our field, which, will in turn, maintain the maritime industry as a thriving economic force in the state. Our JA storefront is a major step towards fulfilling this initiative.”

Sea the World is composed of nine walls representing engine room specialists, yachting professionals, shipyard trade workers and other areas like marina management, boat sales, boat building to name a few. Advanced Mechanical Enterprises/AMESOLUTIONS.COM with the following 23 companies, raised over $130,000 for the buildout and curriculum development: Maritime Professional Training, Pier 66 Marina, The Triton (newspaper), IGY Marinas, Marine Industries Association of South Florida, Palladium Technologies LLC, Aere Marine Group, FB Marine Group, Derecktor Shipyards, Global Marine Travel, Lauderdale Marine Center, Luxury Home Consultants, AdvantageServices.Net, MHG Insurance Brokers, Palmdale Oil Company, RPM Diesel Engines Co., Viking Crew, Ward’s Marine Electric, Water Taxi, Wright Maritime Group, Roscioli Yachting Center, Elite Marine AC and Universal Marine Center. The participating parties are now transitioning into phase 2 of the execution process which will possibly involve custom boat tables, piling with rope, a fighting chair, and other marine themed elements to complete the look and feel of the Marine Industry Storefront.

Media: Please join us May 1, from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM for a tour through the space, photo opportunities, and a reception with champagne, light appetizers and announcements.

“We are so thrilled to have such a vital industry represented in JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion,” Laurie Sallarulo, President and CEO, Junior Achievement of South Florida

About Junior Achievement of South Florida

Junior Achievement of South Florida (JA) inspires and prepares youth to succeed in a global economy. JA provides real-world training in financial literacy including budgeting, spending, investing and the use of credit; offers cutting-edge skill-building opportunities that enable young people to explore meaningful, productive careers; teaches students how to start businesses; and introduces entrepreneurial values that strengthen workplaces. Last year, with the help of over 7,100 trained corporate and community volunteers, JA delivered over 20 various programs to almost 50,000 students in classrooms throughout Broward and south Palm Beach counties and at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion, a first-class facility housing JA BizTown and JA Finance Park. For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit JASouthFlorida.org.

Contact: Joanna Ramirez
(954) 764-2678
[email protected]

Sea the World Storefront to be Revealed in JA Finance Park
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Junior Achievement of South Florida Welcomes New Partners

Junior Achievement of South Florida Welcomes New Partners

On March 26, Junior Achievement of South Florida held a ribbon cutting ceremony to formally recognize generous gifts made by several donors. Along with 75 community leaders, elected officials and JA supporters, four new partners joined us to cut their ribbons and officially unveil the areas named on their behalf.

“This donation and ribbon cutting signifies so much more than a name change,” said Laurie Sallarulo, President and CEO of JA. “It’s supporters like the Lillian S. Wells Foundation that allow us to continue our mission in empowering the young people in our community with important career and life skills.”

Thanks to a very substantial gift from the Lillian S. Wells Foundation, JA World’s official building name is now JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion. After celebrating the unveiling of the new outdoor sign, guests entered the main doors into the JM Family Enterprises Inc. Atrium, named with a generous gift to support capital improvements of the JA World facility. Only a few steps to the right of the Atrium guests then entered the Falcone Family JA BizTown through the new Moss Family Art Park, a beautiful area designed to expose students to the arts. Finally, guests followed the main street of JA BizTown to the new and exciting  Florida Panthers storefront, where JA students learn about career opportunities in the sports industry.

JA is incredibly grateful for each of these supporters as they help us educate 50,000 students each year. Their support will  help us to bring workforce skills, entrepreneurship and financial literacy programming to 50,000 students each year and help secure the future of the world-class center. Please enjoy the short video clip of this special morning!

Junior Achievement of South Florida Welcomes New Partners
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JA Diamond Anniversary Raises $600,000 for Programs

JA Diamond Anniversary Raises $600,000 for Programs

Junior Achievement of South Florida held its JA Diamond Anniversary Celebration, presented by Delta Air Lines, on Friday, April 5th, at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion. The unforgettable evening celebrated Junior Achievement of South Florida’s 60-year legacy of inspiring 1 million youth in Broward and south Palm Beach counties. A special part of the evening was inducting the 2019 JA Business Hall of Fame Laureates and honoring two outstanding community leaders.

Congratulations Laureates: Jim Allen, Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming; Bob Birdsong, OK Generators; Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Celebrity Cruises; and Steve Sadaka, StevenDouglas; 2019 Melissa Aiello Character Award recipient Lori Chevy, Bank of America; and 2019 Huizenga Lifetime Legacy Award recipient Lorraine Thomas.

Guests enjoyed a stroll down the “Hall of Fame” featuring past Laureates and a timeline of JA’s 60 year history. Some of the highlights of the evening were the Red Carpet Experience provided by DEX Imaging, a cocktail reception in the Celebrity Cruises Diamond Lounge, a Champagne Toast offered by TD Bank, selfies with our sponsor Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, lobster tail and tenderloin filet dinner, dessert and coffee stations with dancing to music by The W’s and valet services sponsored by JM Lexus and JM Family Enterprises Inc.

“On behalf of the 1 million students served to date, we would like to thank our sponsors, supporters and all attendees who shared this special evening with us. It was a huge success, raising over $600,000 for JA programming that inspires and prepares young people for the future. Thank you,” Laurie Sallarulo, President & CEO.

JA Diamond Anniversary Raises $600,000 for Programs
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