Entrepreneurial Skills Pass · JA Philippines & JA Europe

Build Beyond.
Lead the World.

An international entrepreneurship certification, earned the only way it should be — by building and running a real company on your own campus.

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Participating campus Universidad de Sta. Isabel

Top 3 — Chief Marketing Officer of the Year

“I am both fortunate and grateful that I was able to participate in the Entrepreneurial Skills Pass Program along with seven co-Entrepreneurship students from UST.

I was able to gain a lot of realizations as a student Entrepreneur through the growth opportunities this program provided, including hands-on experience of running our own business, making connections and lifelong partners, certifying our abilities, and learning to leverage our strengths in the industry.”

Founder · COL Financial Group

“Edward Lee started his JA Company in the Philippines in 1972, silk screening and distributing t-shirts, and he credits JA with his success. ‘I was a product of JA,’ Edward says. ‘I think it’s very important, at a very young age, to experience how difficult it is to make money.’ Today, Edward runs COL Financial, the #1 brokerage in the Philippines. Right along side are his two partners, both of whom started with him in JA more than 40 years ago.”

JA Most Outstanding Alumni Awardee

“Junior Achievement helps shape future leaders by giving young people the foundation, confidence, and business mindset they need to succeed. The lessons and experiences gained through JA can extend far beyond the classroom—preparing individuals to lead, create impact, and contribute meaningfully to the business community.”

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Key program information

Competition Proper: October 2026 – May 2027
Final Awarding: May 2027
Participation Fee: ₱2,200
Registration Deadline: October 10, 2026
Official Kickoff: October 24, 202610:00 AM – 12:00 NN

The Campus Startup Challenge — ESP Inter-University Face-Off

The Campus Startup Challenge gives college students the opportunity to form and operate their own Mini Companies. Participants will transform business ideas into actual products or services while developing practical skills in leadership, marketing, sales, finance, operations, and business management.

Through learning sessions, mentoring, business presentations, actual business implementation, and the ESP Certification Exam, students will gain hands-on entrepreneurial experience.

The Top 10 Mini Companies will advance to the final stage and compete for major awards and recognition.

The ESP journey

Build and Operate Your Own Mini Company

Form

Build your Mini Company, assign team roles, and develop your business idea.

Build

Develop and operate your product or service while applying marketing, sales, finance, operations, and management skills.

Complete

Participate in the required learning sessions, mentoring activities, business presentations, business implementation, ESP Certification Exam, and Annual Report.

Compete

Mini Companies will be evaluated throughout the competition, with the Top 10 advancing to the final stage.

Lead

Demonstrate originality, professionalism, teamwork, and responsible entrepreneurship.

October 2026 – May 2027

Your ESP Competition Journey

September – October

ESP Inter-University Kickoff
November

Business Development, Business Planning, Product Proposal, Marketing, Sales, and Accounting and Finance
January – February

Business Mentoring, HR and Management, Brand Management, Analytics, Business Plan Mentoring and Presentation, and Annual Report Training
March

ESP Certification Exam and Annual Report Submission
April

Release of the Top 10 Mini Companies and Mini Company Officers Interviews
May Onwards

Onsite Awarding

Participating schools10

Bicol State College of Applied Science and Technology

University of Perpetual Help System Dalta

The ESP network

Built by Schools.
Powered by Partners.

Nineteen institutions

Ten campuses. Nine partners.
One international standard.

Hover a mark to read its label.

Bring ESP to your campus

Partner companies9

Developed by JA Europe

Earn an International Entrepreneurship Certification

The Entrepreneurial Skills Pass is an international certification developed by JA Europe. It recognizes students who have completed a practical entrepreneurship experience and demonstrated essential business, economic, and financial knowledge.

1

Entrepreneurship Experience

Develop and operate a real Mini Company.
2

Assessing Competencies

Reflect on and strengthen entrepreneurial competencies throughout the program.
3

Certifying Knowledge and Skills

Complete the ESP Certification Exam to validate business, economic, and financial knowledge.

Entrepreneurial Skills Pass certification overview

Entrepreneurial Skills Pass programme detail

International connections

Recognized well beyond the campus gate.

JA Europe
World Economic Forum — Education 4.0 Lighthouses
European Commission
European Parliament

Questions

ESP FAQs

The Entrepreneurial Skills Pass (ESP) is an international entrepreneurship program and certification developed by JA Europe and implemented in the Philippines by JA Philippines. It provides college students with practical business experience and the opportunity to earn an internationally recognized certification.

How much is the ESP program fee?

The ESP program fee for new partner schools is ₱2,200 per student. The fee includes access to learning sessions, entrepreneurship activities, assessment, and the opportunity to earn an internationally recognized certification, subject to the official program guidelines.

Interested in bringing ESP to your school? Message JA Philippines to learn more.

Who is eligible to join the Entrepreneurial Skills Pass (ESP)?

ESP is open to college students from partner schools implementing the Entrepreneurial Skills Pass Program. Students from schools that are not yet JA Philippines partners may also express their interest and coordinate with JA Philippines regarding possible participation and partnership.

Want ESP in your school? Send us a message today.

Do I need an existing business or business experience?

No. ESP is designed for students who want to learn entrepreneurship. The program guides participants in developing business ideas, working in teams, and applying entrepreneurial concepts through real-world activities.

Ready to start your entrepreneurial journey? Learn more.

What are the benefits of joining ESP?

Through ESP, students can:

Gain practical business experience
Develop leadership and communication skills
Learn from industry mentors
Strengthen teamwork and problem-solving skills
Earn an internationally recognized certification

Take the first step toward becoming a future entrepreneur. Contact JA Philippines.

What are the available ESP pathways?

ESP offers two implementation pathways:

Pathway 1: Capacity Building. Designed for students taking an Entrepreneurship subject and focuses on learning, assessment, and certification.

Pathway 2: Mini Company Competition. Allows students to build and manage their own Mini Company while applying entrepreneurial concepts through hands-on experience.

Interested in implementing ESP? Partner with JA Philippines.

Can students from other courses join ESP?

Yes. ESP is open to eligible college students from partner schools. Students from schools that are not yet partners may also coordinate with JA Philippines to express their interest and learn about the participation and partnership process.

While ESP focuses on entrepreneurship, the program develops transferable skills such as leadership, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving that are valuable across different fields.

Ask your school about ESP, or coordinate with JA Philippines.

Is the ESP certification internationally recognized?

Yes. The Entrepreneurial Skills Pass (ESP) is an internationally recognized certification developed through JA Europe and implemented in the Philippines by JA Philippines.

Earn a globally recognized entrepreneurship certification. Get started.

How can our school implement the ESP Program?

Both current partner schools and schools that are not yet partners may coordinate directly with JA Philippines to learn about the implementation process, available pathways, and partnership requirements.

Ready to bring ESP to your school? Contact the JA Philippines team today.

Registration closes October 10, 2026

Bring the Entrepreneurial Skills Pass to your campus.

Program inquiries

Catherine Espinosa

catherine@japionline.org

Nikolai Quetua

jacollegemarketing@japionline.org