To better prepare today’s youth for their financial challenges of the future, Financial Planning Standards Council (FPSC) and Junior Achievement of Canada (JA Canada) have announced a partnership to work together to improve financial literacy amongst students across Canada.
The announcement was made during Financial Literacy Month and the lead up to the fourth annual Financial Planning Week.
The partnership will see FPSC encourage CFP professionals become Junior Achievement business mentors through delivery of JA Canada’s popular Dollars with Sense program in classrooms across Canada. Currently there are more than 17,500 CFP professionals in Canada.
“This is a great opportunity for both of our organizations. We share the similar goal of helping young Canadians improve their financial literacy and embrace important life skills that are essential for financial wellbeing,” says Stephen Ashworth, acting president and CEO, JA Canada.
“This is an ideal partnership that leverages the strength of more than 17,500 CFP professionals across Canada, many who have shown tremendous interest and commitment in educating the next generation on important financial planning skills and habits. With the involvement of those who choose to volunteer with JA’s Dollars with Sense program, we can help move the yardstick forward on improving the financial skills, knowledge and habits of young people that will stead them well throughout their lives,” says Cary List, president and CEO, FPSC.
Junior Achievement’s Dollars with Sense is an interactive program targeted towards middle school students to encourage them to develop financial literacy skills and the knowledge to make informed decisions about their financial future include budgeting, money management and investments. In 2011, the program was delivered in 1630 classes across Canada to 43,084 students.