The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (the Institute) has supported an initiative introduced by Young Achievement Australia (YAA) which offers student professional development and mentoring to provide students with marketable skills following graduation.  
 
Last night at the Westin, Sydney, the Institute sponsored the Secondary Business Person of the Year Award at Young Achievement Australia's 2008 National Awards event. The award was won by Sophie Alpen, a year 12 student from Wade High School in Griffith who demonstrated the qualities required to run a successful business. 
 
The Institute's General Manager Membership Marketing, Julian Boram who presented the award said: "Successfully managing a business requires a broad range of skills from supervising and managing staff to making imperative business decisions. The Business Skills Program™ challenges students to put the theoretical skills they have learned at school into practice. 
 
"The type of innovative thinking that was presented at the awards ceremony was of an exceptional standard and we are delighted to have been involved in this program," Mr Boram continued. 
 
The Institute also offers a student professional development program called the Chartered Accountant Achiever Work Experience program, which places university students at Institute accredited firms. Through the program, students can acquire hands-on practical work experience and potentially secure a permanent position with the company. 
 
"Student professional development programs ensure that the highest calibre of graduates will be entering the workplace equipped with the skills and key competencies required to succeed," said Mr Boram. 
 
Facilitated by YAA, the Business Skills Program™ requires secondary, tertiary and TAFE students to build a business from scratch, including appointing a management team, compiling a business plan and annual report, managing finances as well as developing, promoting and selling a product. During the program, students are mentored by senior personnel working at Australia's largest professional services firms including, local councils, State Government, commerce and Small to Medium Enterprises.