ATLANTA, GA - Junior Achievement (JA) and Invesco announced today a partnership to provide a dynamic learning experience designed to enhance students’ financial literacy and build skills for personal and professional success. Invesco has an interactive storefront in JA BizTown, one of two simulations located within the JA Chick-fil-A Foundation Discovery Center in Atlanta.

JA BizTown provides students the opportunity to experience their futures firsthand. Sixth grade students interact within a simulated economy and take on the challenge of fueling a business. The students not only discover the intricacies of being a professional and member of the community, but also the abundance of opportunities available within their city.

The experience begins in the classroom with JA provided curriculum that culminates with a day at JA BizTown. The simulation creates an opportunity where students participate in an interactive economy and take on the role of employee and consumer. During the visit to JA BizTown, students receive job assignments and work in teams at their assigned business. By the end of the simulation each student completes a day’s work, develops a personal budget, and makes purchasing decisions.

“Thanks to partnerships like this one with Invesco, we are able to give students an authentic and relevant experience that leaves a lasting and measurable impact,” said John Hancock, President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Georgia. “Together we are shaping the next generation into individuals who are equipped to lead our community and play an integral role in our economy.”

“Invesco is proud to be part of JA BizTown as it provides enormous opportunities and access for students to have real-world learning experiences that are applicable to a number of academic subjects,” said Kellie Schonberg, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility. “We are excited that students will learn about the asset management business and hopefully consider starting their career at Invesco.”

In partnership with the education and business communities, the JA Chick-fil-A Foundation Discovery Center in Atlanta, the JA Discovery Center at Gwinnett, and the Mike and Lynn Cottrell JA Discovery Center at North Georgia in Cumming give one-third of all Georgia middle school students access to the breadth of careers available to them, and the skills needed to be
successful in those careers.