Young Enterprise Program

Young Enterprise Program

The American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) introduced the Young Enterprise Program as a community service project in 1989.

The purpose of the program is to give 16 year old students an opportunity to become entrepreneurs, by creating and managing their own companies. In doing so, these future leaders will gain valuable skills in business acumen, teamwork, and other areas.

This worthy program has been running continuously for the past 26 years, benefiting more than 18,000 Malaysian students. AMCHAM remains committed to supporting and expanding this program to reach as many students as possible.

AMCHAM is a member of Junior Achievement Worldwide (JA), the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating students on work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literary through experiential, hands-on programs. In 2015, AMCHAM proudly announced the launch of JA Malaysia, which runs the Young Enterprise program.

What is Young Enterprise?
Young Enterprise is an innovative, extra-curricular activity for secondary school students who are selected to form a ‘mini’ company at school. The students, called “Achievers,” learn to translate economic theories into real business, and to discover for themselves what enterprise really means. Achievers experience the complete business cycle, from capitalization to voluntary liquidation, gaining an understanding of basic economics and how business works.

They are also given the privilege of operating a real corporate bank account through a participating bank.

Twenty-five Achievers are selected from each participating school. They spend two hours a week with a team of advisors from their sponsor company, in order to learn how to run a business. The advisors neither instruct nor direct; they let the Achievers discover for themselves how to manage their own companies.

Achievers learn about their own abilities and skills, and gain better insights into career opportunities in the corporate world. Young Enterprise also encourages Achievers to communicate in English, further enhancing their ability to compete in today’s fiercely-competitive global marketplace.

Program Features

  • The YE Program is recognized and supported by the Ministry of Education.
  • Achievers and advisors gain hands-on business experience.
  • Advisors have the opportunity to mentor youth and to enable them to gain a better understanding of business.
  • Sponsor companies can choose which school(s) they would like to work with.
  • No funding is given to the school or students.
  • The program duration is one year.