UNIOR Achievement Jamaica (JAJ) has announced the top performers in its recently concluded 2011-2012 Junior Achievement Company of Entrepreneurs (JACE) Programme.

The announcement was made at an awards banquet held at the University of the West Indies earlier this month.

'Creating Accessories Naturally' (CAN), a company operated by the St Andrew-based school as part of the Junior Achievement programme, took home the JACE Company of the Year Award for the second year in a row. CAN manufactured fashionable jewellery using material from recycled soda cans and plastic bottles.

The award that was sponsored by Ernst & Young was given to the top student company based on their performance in the 2011-2012 programme. Ardenne competed against 30 other high schools during a six-month experiential learning programme executed by JAJ in schools and community groups across the island.

"All the companies had to write business plans, do market surveys, develop a product, sell shares, sell the products, write business reports and do a corporate social responsibility project throughout the programme," explained Alphie Mullings-Aiken, president of JAJ.

The reports from the various companies were judged by independent private sector volunteers from across the island, who also listened to their presentations during an entrepreneurial expo held at Devon House in Kingston.

"This year was even more exciting than last year," commented Mullings-Aiken. "We had a two point difference between the first, second and third place winners."

The winners received trophies and $75,000 towards the purchase of company shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange.

"I was shocked, especially because we saw the different products that the other companies made, but Junior Achievement has certainly taught us confidence and we are ecstatic," said Shanice Mullings, vice-president of marketing of Ardenne High School's CAN.

Trip to Canada

Ernst & Young has also sponsored the top five student companies to represent Jamaica in an all-expense paid trip to the 2012 Next Generation Leader's Forum in Canada from August 12-18. The student groups include: Ardenne High, Black River High (Riva Swagg), Rise Life's LEAD Youth Club (HQ Kreations), Jamaica College (Royal Production) and Immaculate Conception High (IMMAC Tees).

One representative from each of the five companies will interact with young people from across the world who also participated in a Junior Achievement Company Programme. The five will also be competing for international awards. This is the third consecutive year that Jamaica will have representatives at this conference.

Sectional Awards

* Ardenne: Jamaica Producers best production team award.

* Immaculate Conception High School: Jamaica Yellow Pages Best Marketing and UWI's Best Corporate Social Responsibility team award

* Black River High School: Scotiabank best finance team

* Rise Life's LEAD Youth Club: Power 106 best public relations team