HUNDREDS of students from across Northern Ireland will again have the enviable opportunity to launch, promote and sell their own innovative products at the Young Enterprise 'Big Market' next month.
St George's Market will be taken over by in excess of 700 students, aged 17 and 18, on December 5. They have been taking part in this year’s Young Enterprise Company Programme.
The charity's leading entrepreneurial programme allows students to create a unique business then produce, promote and sell their products or services for the first time to the public.
The event, which is open to the general public, will be attended by business leaders from across the north, some of whom will be there to mentor the students and others who will have the tricky job of judging the best student companies.
Carol Fitzsimons MBE, chief executive of Young Enterprise, said: “Our company programmes are vital for young people to develop skills for future success.
“The recent CBI/Pearson Education and Skills annual report highlights that, alongside qualifications, businesses highly value work readiness and broader skills.
“In fact 60 per cent of the businesses surveyed by the CBI are clear that key drivers of success for young people in their working lives are attitudes and attributes like resilience, communication and problem-solving. Businesses rated these skills as among their top priorities when recruiting.”
She added: “As the leading entrepreneurship and enterprise education charity, Young Enterprise is committed to giving all young people in Northern Ireland the chance to develop and practice these skills - skills that they will need to succeed in the world of work.
“Embedding entrepreneurial education into school programmes is one of the most important ways to prepare our children for life beyond the classroom.
“Today students need much more than a good academic grounding to excel, and learning linked to real-life situations is always more meaningful”
“We look forward to seeing all the new talent at this year’s event and to follow the student companies development throughout the programme.
“As always we would encourage the general public to come along, support our young people and enjoy purchasing Christmas gifts which are just a little bit different.”
