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Meán Scoil Nua an Leith Triúigh Castlegregory students were winners at Kerry LEO Student Enterprise Awards at the ITT last year. From left; Tomas Butler, Jasmine Griffin, Jack Walsh, Shannon Maunsell Cronin and Ross Spillane. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
THE most enterprising students from around the county will come together for the County Finals of the Kerry County Council Annual Student Enterprise Awards, this Friday at the Institute Of Technology, Tralee.
Over 50 mini-companies set up by local second level schools will participate in the competition, which promotes the development of innovation, idea development, business structure, sourcing of finance, marketing/sales and the presentation of a formal business plan.
The students have to progress through the establishment of a mini company which trades over a period of a number of months and on the day, a wide array of trading projects will be presented such as gear bags, cupcakes, training bibs and candle holders.
Tomás Hayes, Head Of Local Enterprise Office, stated that “Kerry Local Enterprise Office has delivered this programme for 14 years. This is a real life exercise. It involves idea generation and actual trading. Profits are generated and finance is secured.”
“It is a taste of business and all the issues involved from finding the right idea, funding the business, collecting the money and building the team. I must commend the teachers for their efforts and our mentors for their support. Our judges have a difficult task and I don’t envy them”, he continued.
Prizes will be awarded at Junior, Intermediate and Senior level, and there will be special awards for best idea and most innovative project. The winners of the County Finals will go forward to the National Finals to be held in Croke Park on April 20.
Further information can be obtained by contacting Tomás Hayes, Kerry County Council at (066) 7183522 or www.studententerprise.ie.
