PPG, JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT BIZTOWN Partner to Inspire Future Workforce

PPG participated in the grand opening of JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT of Western Pennsylvania’s (JA of Western PA) JA BIZTOWN – a hands-on, community simulation in Bridgeville, Penn., that teaches local students how to manage a business and contribute to the local economy.

PPG was one of more than two dozen regional businesses that worked with JA of Western PA to create the miniature interactive business community.

PPG’s sponsored storefront at JA BizTown was designed to look like a PPG PAINTS store and includes a paint color display, color matching tools and a variety of PPG Paints products and painting supplies.

Also, the company provided approximately 400 gallons of PPG Paints products to paint the JA BizTown community.

“PPG is dedicated to investing in the next generation of industry leaders, which is why we have supported Junior Achievement for over 70 years,” said John Jankowski, PPG VP and treasurer, and JA of Western PA board member. “JA BizTown opens the door to career exploration, allowing students to see what PPG employees do every day. Students will execute tasks performed in various PPG roles, such as a chemist, sales representative, safety manager, CEO and CFO. This type of career simulation provides them with a deeper understanding of how classroom lessons apply to the real world.”

The grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by 80 students from Claysville Elementary, who then became the first “citizens” at JA BizTown. During the simulation, students completed a day’s work, developed a personal budget and received one-on-one guidance from volunteers and mentors.

“Nothing is more important than connecting the dots between what children learn in school and how it’s applied in the real world,” said Dennis Gilfoyle, president and CEO, JA of Western PA. “Children need to be immersed in experiences that go beyond the four walls of a classroom. That’s where JA BizTown comes in. This dress rehearsal for life allows students the opportunity to test drive one of nearly 120 jobs that make up our local economy and learn first-hand how to manage a business, earn a paycheck and work in a community.”

In the first semester of operations, the 10,000-square-foot (929-square-meter) miniature city is expected to host 3,000 students in grades four through six from 22 schools in the Greater Pittsburgh, Erie and Johnstown/Altoona regions in Pennsylvania.