ArmInfo. Since 2009, HSBC within the framework of long-term financial assistance, provided the organization "Junior Achievements of Armenia" with $ 227 thousand for conducting special training courses in business skills among schoolchildren. As the press service of HSBC Bank Armenia told ArmInfo, in June this year, HSBC Holding plc provided this organization $ 36.750 thousand for training courses among 598 schoolchildren.
As of 2017-2018 academic year, the public schools of Armenia offer an entrepreneurship course integrated in the Technology course for students in grades 2 and 3. To this end, a teacher's guide has been created and over 1400 teachers have been trained to teach the new subject. Selected tenth and eleventh graders in 215 schools will also continue their studies in entrepreneurship.
The programme is officially endorsed by the Ministry of Education and Science and included in the school curriculum. After this year's trial, the programme will be expanded to all schools.
JAA Executive Director Armine Hovhannisyan said: "Investing in education is essential for building thriving communities and economies. Introduction of entrepreneurship education at schools marks another successful stage in our decade-long cooperation with Junior Achievement Worldwide. The programme helps students develop a sense of social entrepreneurship from an early age and become agents for sustainable change in tomorrow's world. It encourages them to gain valuable skills and guide them to bring social benefit rather than gain pure profit."
HSBC Armenia CEO, Paul Edgar noted: "As part of our commitment to the community, we provide financial contributions to community projects, and thousands of our employees across the world get involved by volunteering their time and sharing their skills. For many young people, education is key to prosperity - it offers them the chance to develop their skills, realise their potential and make a meaningful contribution to society. Thus, HSBC has proudly supported this programme for 9 years and have recently renewed the partnership till 2019."
HSBC Bank Armenia cjsc was established as a closed joint stock company under the name Midland Armenia Bank J.S.C. in 1996 and was renamed HSBC Bank Armenia cjsc in 1999. The bank is a joint venture between the HSBC Group, which has 70 per cent ownership, and members of overseas Armenian businesses with 30 per cent ownership. HSBC Armenia serves around 30,000 customers through nine offices located in Yerevan and around 420 employees. The bank has assets of AMD 215 billion as of 30 June 2017.