Young Enterprise holds Highland and Moray finals in Nairn
A programme which allows thousands of high school pupils to gain valuable business experience is to hold its Highland and Moray regional final at 6.30pm in the Newton Hotel, Nairn on Wednesday 4 May.
The Young Enterprise Scotland (YES) Company Programme is a national initiative which helps senior pupils establish and run their own short-term business ventures.
Six schools will compete in the Highland and Moray area finals for 10 awards provided by sponsors which recognise the range of skills and abilities that are required to develop a product and run a successful company. The awards range from ‘Innovation’ to ‘Best Market Research’, from ‘Best Publicity’ to ‘Best Financial Management’ and from ‘Best Overall Company’ to ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’.
The schools which will be competing in these finals are: Forres Academy; Fortrose Academy; Dingwall Academy; Inverness Royal Academy, Glenurquhart High School and Farr High School.
During the past year the young entrepreneurs have been involved in every aspect of business operation, from market research in deciding what to produce, through to manufacturing, packaging, distribution and financial management. Each business project is entered into the regional final, with the winner eligible to compete in the national competition in Glasgow in June. The winning Scottish team then travels to London later in the summer for the UK final.
Products this year include a children’s cookery book, a candle holder manufactured from used whisky casks, handmade greetings cards, slate coasters and place mats, conversation cards, and heel stops.
The YES programme is highly regarded by both the schools and the business community, complementing school curriculum and allowing the ‘achievers’ themselves to make better informed career choices.
Linda Thomas, chair of the YES Highland and Moray Board said: “The programme is not just a business competition for young people. We are attempting to balance a view of the business achievements of each team as a whole with their individual personal development. To win an award it is not sufficient to run a financially successful company or to have created an exciting product. Company members must also demonstrate that they understand how and why the company performed as well as it did.
“The programme provides pupils with a real taste of the business world and can motivate young people to become the entrepreneurs and develop the businesses of the future.”
On Wednesday judges will be looking for evidence of innovation, the successful exploitation of new ideas in all aspects of the running of the company and an understanding that continuous improvement through innovation is essential to the success of a business.
The UK national awards will be in London in July with the winning team taking the HSBC awards. Prizes will also be awarded for marketing, manufacturing and financial management. The winning company at these awards will represent the UK in the European Company of the Year competition in August.
Each Young Enterprise programme involves practical, fun, hands-on activity, led by a volunteer from local business or the community working alongside teachers with specifically designed Young Enterprise materials.
Linda said: “We would like more people to become volunteers. By becoming a Young Enterprise volunteer, people can make a real difference to the lives and potential of young people in their area by helping them to understand the world of business and prepare for their working lives.”
To register to become a Young Enterprise volunteer, please contact Linda on linda.thomas@virgin.net or 07825 616141.
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