Barclays Bank and Junior Achievement Worldwide (JA) have launched their entrepreneurship promotion programme called “You can b” in 11 countries, including the UAE.

“You can b” is a three-year initiative to develop entrepreneurship and work-readiness among students and prepare them for today’s work environment.

The programme was formally launched today (March 3) during an event held at Barclays Emerging Markets headquarters in Dubai.

“Today’s young people are tomorrow’s consumers, entrepreneurs, employees and leaders,” said Ahmed Khizer Khan, chief executive of Barclays Emerging Markets.

“Working with young people to develop their skills and potential is important to the sustainability of any business. We are thrilled to be working with JA, an organisation with a great track record in creating programmes tailored for young people which play a key role in helping them to realise their full potential.”

The £1.5 million ($2.1 million) initiative will support the expansion of JA’s projects in 11 countries during its first year including the UAE. The other ten countries to implement the programme in its first year are Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Russia, Egypt, and India.

Each of the 11 countries will receive over £21,000 to implement and expand the reach of JA’s programmes. The partnership will also establish new JA programmes in Pakistan, Mauritius and Seychelles in the second and third years, taking the total number of participating countries to 14.

In total, the Barclays/JA Worldwide programme is expected to reach over 8,000 students.

“This significant investment from Barclays demonstrates the bank’s strong commitment to youth business education and work readiness,” said Sean C Rush, JA Worldwide president and chief executive officer.

“This initiative will help foster the economic development of the participating communities, regions and countries, to help our young people compete effectively in the global economy.”

The “You can b” initiative is divided into five components. The first component – B-Inspired innovation camps – will be launched in March 2009.

This initiative involves the participation of two schools from each country. The students will be presented with a business challenge at the camp and requested to collaboratively devise a solution, using the leadership, critical-thinking, and teamwork skills they have learned from JA’s entrepreneurship and work-readiness curricula. – TradeArabia News Service