The Ripple Effect of Experiential Entrepreneurship Education in High School

In today’s rapidly evolving global economy, traditional classroom-based teaching is no longer sufficient. While it has served us for decades, this model falls short in preparing young people with the real-world skills they need to thrive in uncertain, fast-changing environments.

In South Africa, this gap is particularly stark. Youth unemployment remains alarmingly high—31.9% overall and 59.6% among 15–24-year-olds as of Q4 2024, among the highest rates in the world. This is not just an economic crisis; it is a skills crisis. Young people are entering the workforce ill-equipped for its demands, and our education system is struggling to bridge that divide.

Research has shown that entrepreneurship education—especially when delivered experientially—builds the competencies youth need to succeed. According to JA Africa, alumni of its Company Program consistently outperform their peers in key areas:

Entrepreneurship: JA alumni are significantly more likely to start and sustain their own businesses.

Employment and Job Creation: They are more likely to employ others, creating opportunities within their communities.

Financial Responsibility: Alumni report higher savings rates and improved money management skills.

Career Impact: Many credit their career paths and business acumen to their JA experiences.

Lower Unemployment: JA alumni are less likely to be unemployed or reliant on government support.

In addition to these outcomes, students gain vital 21st-century skills—teamwork, communication, data analysis, social media literacy, and resilience—skills often absent from traditional curricula.

The JA Company Program offers a proven, hands-on solution. Delivered to high school learners (Grades 10–11), the program immerses students in the complete entrepreneurial journey—from ideation and capitalisation to operations and liquidation. With the support of trained volunteer mentors, learners form real businesses and confront real-world challenges.

Take Thandeka, a student from Gauteng. At the start of the program, she struggled to speak in front of her peers. But through weeks of mentorship and pitching her team’s project, she eventually gained the confidence to record a video presentation for JA Africa—sharing not just her business idea, but her personal growth. Her story is one of thousands.

Another voice, Galane Kgaugelo, shares: "My name is Galane Kgaugelo. I did the JA South Africa program in 2023 while I was at Motse Maria Secondary School. I started my business in 2024—and yeah, I’m making a profit."

The JA Company Program is anchored in experiential learning. The Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle, emphasizes learning through doing. Students:

Gain Concrete Experience

Engage in Reflective Observation

Develop Abstract Concepts

Apply insights through Active Experimentation

This structured, mentored, and reflective model—supported by scholars like Bell and Bell (2020) and Dewey (1959)—is where true transformation happens.

Experiential entrepreneurship education does more than teach business—it develops individuals, strengthens communities, and builds resilient economies. The ripple effects are powerful:

Self-efficacy and resilience: Students build confidence and perseverance—critical for long-term success.

Career readiness: Graduates are better prepared for higher education and the world of work.

Innovation and growth: Learners become not just job seekers, but job creators.

Financial literacy: They gain the tools to manage their financial futures responsibly.

Civic engagement: Many ventures address local challenges, fostering a sense of purpose and community leadership.

In a world where half of current work activities are expected to be automated by 2055 (WEF Future of Jobs Report), the ability to think creatively, adapt rapidly, and lead boldly is essential.

Entrepreneurship education is not a luxury—it is a national imperative. The JA Company Program has shown that when young people are given the opportunity to learn by doing, they don’t just grow—they thrive. They become more than future employees; they emerge as leaders, innovators, and change makers.

Investing in experiential entrepreneurship education is an investment in a future where young people can chart their own paths—and, in doing so, uplift entire communities.

About JA South Africa

JA South Africa is part of the global JA Worldwide network. Established in 1979, JA South Africa delivers financial literacy, entrepreneurship & work readiness programs across all provinces in partnership with corporate sponsors who share a commitment to youth entrepreneurship development and education.