Youth talent and businesses: why the gap between opportunity and talent persists

Youth entrepreneurship is gaining momentum across the region

Company Program, Junior Achievement’s flagship entrepreneurship program, is built around learning by doing. Students create and manage a real business, make decisions, raise capital, and present their results. Along the way, they develop skills such as planning, communication, leadership, and perseverance.

That journey is taking shape across the region. In Canada, ReSwipe was named 2026 Company of the Year for the strength of its business and its performance before the judging panel. In Argentina, more than 300 student businesses presented their projects and sold over 3,100 shares through in-person and virtual capitalization rounds.

In Costa Rica, student company managers pitched and defended their business models before volunteer professionals. In Mexico, Next Cane was named Company of the Year after creating a sensory cane for people with visual impairments. In Peru, ten student companies reached the final: ConnectIn took first place, followed by iBee and SAFETIME COMAS.

Every pitch, decision, and share sold is part of the same learning process: young people do more than learn the principles of entrepreneurship—they put them to the test through real experiences. Company Program gives them the opportunity to turn an idea into a project, take responsibility, and work with others toward a shared goal. That sense of “I can” is the starting point for any path they choose to pursue.

From a first formal job to a dream of creating opportunities for others

Jhon Henry, from southern Guayaquil, participated in Camino al empleo, an initiative from Junior Achievement and Arcos Dorados that helps young people prepare for their first formal work experience through training, mentoring, and practical tools.

The workshops and simulations helped him strengthen his skills, recognize his potential, and build the confidence he needed to take the next step.

Today, he has his first formal job at McDonald’s San Francisco and is already thinking about what comes next: studying culinary arts and eventually opening his own restaurant to create jobs for others.

Jhon’s story reflects a reality shared across the region. When young people gain access to training, guidance, and concrete opportunities, they can recognize their potential and build new paths.

We work so that experiences like this are not the exception, but an opportunity available to more and more young people.

Your experience can help us better understand the future of youth employment

Junior Achievement Americas and ManpowerGroup are conducting the fourth edition of Youth Talent and Businesses: Opportunities and Challenges, a regional study designed to understand the experiences, needs, and challenges of young people and employers across 17 countries.

If you are involved in recruitment or are part of a team responsible for bringing talent into your organization, your perspective can provide valuable insight into the gaps that exist in today’s labor market.

The survey is confidential and takes less than 10 minutes to complete. We would value your contribution.

A global network that turns potential into opportunity

Junior Achievement Worldwide reached #5 in the 2026 thedotgood ranking—formerly NGO Advisor—and marked its eighth consecutive year among the world’s ten leading social-good organizations.

The recognition highlights the strength of a network that combines innovation, strong governance, and long-term sustainability to deliver millions of learning experiences and equip young people to build thriving communities.

Across the Americas, Junior Achievement contributes to this shared impact through programs that build the skills and mindsets young people need for entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial capability. This recognition reinforces the capacity of our network to turn youth potential into real opportunities for the future.

Mujer Digital named among the world’s Top 25 EdTech solutions

Mujer Digital, our training and employability program co-designed with BID Lab, has been shortlisted in the Non-Profits category of the second edition of the Global EdTech Prize.

Created in 2025 by T4 Education with the support of Owl Ventures and Digital Promise, the prize recognizes technology solutions that address some of education’s most pressing challenges. Unlike many other awards, the initiatives are evaluated and the winners selected by educators themselves.

In September, the 10 finalists in each category will be announced. They will present their solutions at the World Schools Summit in London in January 2027.

Mujer Digital’s impact to date:

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