Jacksonville Center to Train 30,000 Students Yearly

More than 30,000 students across Northeast Florida will soon practice running businesses, managing paychecks, and exploring careers in a hands-on learning center launching next fall.

Junior Achievement and Florida State College at Jacksonville announced a 50-year partnership Tuesday to create the Junior Achievement Experiential Learning Center on the college's downtown campus. The agreement represents one of the longest education commitments in the region's history.

The center will function as what Junior Achievement calls a "living classroom" where students step into miniature towns complete with storefronts, businesses, and simulations. Kids will experience real companies operating in Northeast Florida while discovering careers they might never have considered.

"This reflects what's possible when education, business and community come together around a shared goal: preparing young people for choice-filled futures," said Shannon Italia, president of Junior Achievement of North Florida. The partnership gives the region a foundation to strengthen student outcomes and build a workforce ready for tomorrow's jobs.

Students will develop financial skills through interactive experiences like earning paychecks, creating budgets, and making real-world business decisions. The curriculum aligns with Florida education standards while connecting elementary and secondary students to college pathways and lifelong learning opportunities.

About 4,000 volunteers and over 200 companies are expected to participate in the program annually. FSCJ President John Avendano says the center expands opportunity for young students while strengthening connections between early learning, college, and careers.

The Ripple Effect

This investment extends far beyond a single building. By giving tens of thousands of students yearly exposure to career possibilities and financial literacy, Jacksonville is building a more prepared workforce for decades to come.

The 50-year land lease signals something rare: institutions betting on students for the long haul. When young people practice real skills in safe environments, they gain confidence that carries into actual careers.

Design and engineering planning is already underway, with construction targeted to begin later this year. Junior Achievement has raised $4 million toward its $15 million fundraising goal and needs $9 million more to break ground.

The soft opening is projected for fall 2026, when Northeast Florida students will start turning classroom theory into hands-on practice.