Entrepreneurship is alive and well in county Carlow with the news that the local school Carlow Vocational School competed in the 2008-2009 Student Enterprise Awards finals which were held in Tullamore recently. The finalists at the awards were selected from over 364 schools and over 2,900 new student mini-companies participating in the County and City Enterprise Boards Student Enterprise Programme.

The student enterprise company finalists Catherine Early & James Kinsella from Carlow Vocational School produced hand crafted wooden products

The County and City Enterprise Boards Student Enterprise Programme is Ireland’s largest schools enterprise programme.  Run by Carlow County Enterprise Board and commencing in September each year, the Student Enterprise Programme guides second level students through each stage of enterprise development, from forming a team to market research through to marketing, cost management and promotion.  The idea behind the programme is that students actually set up and run a micro business.

Congratulating the enterprising students’ success, Michael P. Kelly from Carlow County Enterprise Board said:
“Entrepreneurship is at the very heart of the Irish economy and our community and in the midst of an economic downturn it is very uplifting to see such wonderful creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit from our local school.  The best way to learn about enterprise is to actually do something entrepreneurial. These students will no doubt be entrepreneurs and business leaders of the future.”

Speaking on behalf of the County and City Enterprise Boards, Ger Enright, Head of the Student Enterprise Awards Programme said:

 “The aim of the Enterprise Boards programme is to enhance the teaching of business and entrepreneurship in schools by combining class room learning with real life business experience. In 2009, the County Enterprise Boards national Student Enterprise Award programme has given over 10,500 students a unique opportunity to test their entrepreneurial and business management skills, by developing their own business. This has been a very exciting and rewarding experience for the students and the experience will stand them in good stead for the future.”

“I would encourage all our young entrepreneurs to remember the fun and excitement of starting and running their own businesses and remind them that the services of the 35 local County and City Enterprise Boards are always available to them if they are considering starting a business at any stage” he added.
The programme provides a series of online modules to guide students’ through each stage of starting and running a business- from forming a team to market research to costs, pricing and promotion. The guidance and support of teachers throughout the school year is instrumental in the success of the programme.

The Winners of the 3 Award Categories are as follows:

1. Senior Category: (Transition year, 5th year, 6th year and YouthReach)

Winners are ‘Digi I Music’ team from St Wolstan’s Community College in Celebridge, County Kildare. The team have won an all expenses paid International Enterprise Education Study Visit to Florence, Italy with their teacher, €500 and a trophy for their school.

1. Intermediate (2nd year and 3rd year)

Winners are the ‘Personalise Me’ team from Loreto College in St Stephen’s Green, Dublin. The team have won €400 and a trophy.

1. Junior (1st Year)

Winners are the ‘Keep Fit in South Tipp’ team from CBS High School in Clonmel, County Tipperary. The team have won €300 and a trophy.