Imagining the Future Workplace with JA and Prudential

March 13, 2024

JA Worldwide and Prudential celebrated the Prudential Innovation Challenge finals today in a virtual award ceremony with JA students from three US locations. Sponsored by Prudential and supported by Prudential’s Black Leadership Forum, the innovation challenge celebrated hard work, dedication, and innovation. Six finalists from Junior Achievement of Southwest New England, Junior Achievement of Greater Fairfield County, and Junior Achievement of New Jersey gathered to hear from challenge facilitators, volunteers, and teachers, and celebrate the top three student teams.

The innovation challenge asked students to imagine and design a new company-based activity or program that addressed the difficulties young people face when entering the workforce today. Aiming to ensure every new young worker has access to support, mentoring, guidance, and tools for a successful transition to the workplace, students captured their final ideas in short video pitches that companies could adopt and integrate.

The challenge provided insights into various aspects of work while helping students acclimate to company culture. Considerations included the use of technology, face-to-face interactions, and a blend of synchronous and asynchronous options.

The innovation challenge unfolded across three JA locations in the United States, kicking off in November at JA of Southwest New England, then moving in January to JA of Greater Fairfield County, and concluding in February with JA of New Jersey.

Prudential volunteers played a pivotal role not only during the Challenge Day but also in determining the top three winners during the March 7 and 8 judging sessions.

Prudential Financial judges scored each video to determine the teams’ final ranking according to the following criteria:

Innovation and Creativity: Clearly define the intended program and demonstrate how the solution achieves the stated goals and objectives.
Presentation Quality: Creatively present your ideas innovatively, and originally that address the needs or gaps identified and how your solution addresses them.
Solution Feasibility: Represent sustainable and replicable solutions that add value to what is currently available through a specific focus on young new workers entering the workforce.
Teamwork: Engage all team members, include accurate visuals, and convey how team members participated throughout the experience.

At today’s event, volunteers, teachers, and facilitators commended the hard work, dedication, and innovation showcased during the challenge.

Meet the Winners

Third place: Click

Click from JA of Greater Fairfield County, Central High School’s Magnet program, imagined an app that matches new employees with senior employees for companies. The app promotes inclusion and positivity in the workplace.

Second place: Farm to Table