Inspiring future heads -n- current hearts

The U.S. Census Bureau projects our national labor force will grow slower than the population of baby boomers set for retirement during the next decade. The Bureau also estimates the upcoming labor force will grow slower than the population of retirees, resulting in fewer workers available to replace them. Tacoma Water recognizes this trend and plays an important role in bringing up our area’s next generation of workers through Junior Achievement Biz Town.

Kids receive several weeks of classroom instruction through local schools then attend JA Biz Town, a facility in Auburn that brings business down to their level. The program aims to inspire and educate children during their formative years about the connection between school and their future. Inside JA Biz Town kids become employees of sponsoring companies, learn how to operate a business and how they affect a community as workers.

Tacoma Water began sponsoring JA Biz Town in 2006 and continues to help ensure children in the program receive a fundamental understanding of personal finance, business and economics. Kids chosen to work for Tacoma Water in JA Biz Town can become the utility Superintendent, a Water Conservation Specialist, Customer Service Representative or a Meter Reader. Together they learn to protect public health, serve high-quality, reliable water, be socially and environmentally responsible and help make “Biz Town” a better place to live, work and do business.