PITTSBURGH–Clearview Federal Credit Union has announced a multi-year partnership with Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania and the experiential learning laboratory JA Biztown. The Clearview storefront will be the leading financial institution in JA Biztown, a mock business community, offering middle and junior high school students the ability to understand financial and business realities of commerce during “real world” exercises, Clearview FCU said.
JA Biztownis a nationwide, innovative and hands-on program, using 10 weeks of classroom curriculum and an immersive, day-long experience of STEM-related jobs in a simulated “town.” Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania is building a 10,000-square foot mock business community in Bridgeville, Penn. featuring Clearview that will be the JA Biztowncredit union and offer banking services to the businesses within the town. Other enterprises, such as a grocery store, technology companies, retailers, manufacturers, engineering and science-focused corporations, health care facilities, and a car dealership will be part of this educational opportunity.
Each participating organization will have a storefront built to their branded specifications. Students will spend the day working in their selected company, and train in the day-to-day functions of thriving businesses and communities.
The students from 360 school districts across Western Pennsylvania will study a 10-hour curriculum in their classrooms in preparation for the deeply engaging experience at JA Biztown.
As the leading financial institution in the town, Clearview said its participation will help the students learn money management skills, develop a working knowledge of business and personal financial literacy, help others to open checking accounts, and secure business loans, as well as gain specific job skills required for a career in finance.
“We are excited to be a partner with Junior Achievement and JA Biztown. The learning provided through hands-on experience is vital to successful futures for the participating students and our region,” said Ron Celaschi, CEO of Clearview. “Clearview’s involvement will provide students the skills to develop an understanding of economics and commerce and the basic importance of the free enterprise system in a creative and engaging way. Clearview is committed to our region, our economy, and our members. This partnership is a demonstration of that commitment now and for years to come.”
As a premier partner, Clearview will have a storefront, branded with Clearview signage and other Clearview materials. Students will select “employment” in the Clearview mock financial center, where they will gain experience in all aspects of financial literacy, act as the primary financial center for the other enterprises in the simulated town, and gain a hands-on understanding of commerce and business management.
Construction has begun on the local JA Biztownand the buildout is expected to be completed by early fall 2019.