Certification

The Entrepreneurial Skills Pass (ESP) is a unique international certification that validates both the skills and experiences of young people in entrepreneurship. It is the first Junior Achievement (JA) micro-credential specifically designed for participants in the JA Company Programme, which provides students with a hands-on experience in launching and managing a business.

The ESP certifies that students have gained real entrepreneurial experience through the JA yearlong learning program. This is done through a competence-based self-assessment, which allows students to reflect on their own progress, followed by a final test that validates and certifies their knowledge about setting up and running a business.

The competencies and learning outcomes developed through the JA Company Programme, and subsequently evaluated by the ESP, are fully aligned with the EntreComp framework developed by the European Commission. EntreComp serves as a comprehensive reference for what is needed to foster an entrepreneurial mindset and skill set.

Initiated with the support of the European Commission, the ESP has since become a global initiative endorsed by the Organization of American States (OAS) and has been recognized by the World Economic Forum as one of 16 Education 4.0 Lighthouses. These lighthouses are examples of public-private collaborations that reimagine the youth learning experience and aim to inspire educators, parents, policymakers, and employers alike.

Through the ESP, students can assess and reflect on their progress in acquiring entrepreneurial competencies and skills. The certification also confirms their theoretical and practical knowledge of entrepreneurship, and provides them with access to further opportunities, such as additional training, scholarships, work experience, and start-up support.

Learn more here: https://www.jaworldwide.org/esp