Christmas Fair 2011
Students from 8 secondary schools in the Highlands and Moray are taking part in the Highland and Moray Area Board - Young Enterprise Scotland Christmas Fair on Saturday 10 December 2011 in the High Street, Inverness between 10am and 3pm.
Schools taking part are Dingwall Academy (selling calendars and recipes); Forres Academy (Christmas stockings and games); Fortrose Academy (drinking cups); Inverness Royal Academy (calendars with local pictures and events); Lochaber High School (various gift items, using buttons); Millburn Academy, Inverness (fabric decorations); Nairn Academy (children’s gardening kit); and Plockton High School (wooden sledges).
Working in teams, the young people have all set up their own small business as part of the Young Enterprise Company Programme - a scheme for 16-19 year olds that promotes and encourages an understanding of how business works and how wealth and employment is created. Experience gained during the programme helps develop a skill set that complements more formal education and gives students an added advantage when seeking future employment. Companies run from August to April each year with guidance from local business people and their link teacher.
In the run up to Christmas teams have been developing their ideas and products, and for many of the young entrepreneurs their experience at the Trade Fair will be their first adventure into the world of selling to the public. A variety of high quality and innovative products will be available for sale throughout the day.
The event is possible thanks to support from Lifescan, and prizes will be awarded for Best Customer Service. An award for Innovation is being generously sponsored by Vertex.
Linda Thomas, Chair of Highland & Moray Area Board - Young Enterprise Scotland, said: “Shoppers are asked to come along and support our young entrepreneurs. They are sure to be impressed by the enthusiasm and attitude of the students, and delighted by the quality and range of goods on sale.
‘LifeScan Scotland is pleased to be supporting Young Enterprise Scotland’s Trade Fair and the Company programme in general. Interactive programmes like this help link education and industry by developing participants’ business knowledge and understanding and key personal skills.”