Junior Achievement of Southwest New England Works with Pratt & Whitney to Make the JA Entrepreneurial Academy a Reality

Junior Achievement of Southwest New England has worked with Pratt & Whitney to make the JA Entrepreneurial Academy into a reality. The after school program teaches students firsthand about manufacturing and entrepreneurship, to better prepare them to join the workforce and perhaps plan their own companies with this insider knowledge.

In addition to manufacturing- related entrepreneurship, the academy will also introduce students to an array of other entrepreneurial skills including leadership and how to pitch a business concept. Volunteers from both Goodwin College and Pratt & Whitney will work with the students every week to show how lessons learned in the classroom are deployed in the real world, and how the value of experience added to education makes for unequaled talent.

“The future depends on today’s students,” said Jill Albertelli, Pratt & Whitney’s vice president of Quality. “Investments such as this not only better the communities in which we operate, but also empower students to succeed at game-changing companies such as Pratt & Whitney. Whether the students seek to create their own business or join an established company, everyone benefits from a more knowledgeable workforce, and there is greater satisfaction and fulfillment all around.”

The program began in early March and will continue through the June. The academy, located at Goodwin College, currently hosts 16 students from Pathways Academy of Technology & Design and Connecticut River Academy, both located in East Hartford. Goodwin College’s Dr. Clifford Thermer, assistant vice president of Strategy & Business Development and department chair, serves as the lead coordinator. Both Albertelli and David Longworth, project manager, Pratt & Whitney, will be overseeing the company’s involvement.

“We are honored to partner with Pratt & Whitney and Goodwin College to bring this life-changing opportunity to East Hartford Students,” said Jeremy Race, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Southwest New England. “Through this program, young people will gain a deeper understanding of how businesses are founded and operate. It will help free the entrepreneurial spirit and hopefully serve as a catalyst for future business growth in Connecticut.”

To learn more about Junior Achievement programs or how you can make a difference in a student’s life by volunteering and being a part of any of our specialty programs, please contact President and CEO, Jeremy Race at jrace@jaconn.org or 860-525-4510 ex 224. Any support you provide to Junior Achievement will help us get closer to our goal of helping 50,000 students by 2020.

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. United Technologies Corp., based in Farmington, Connecticut, provides high-technology systems and services to the building and aerospace industries. To learn more about UTC, visit www.utc.com or follow the company on Twitter: @UTC.

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