Next generation of Entrepreneurs sharpen their skills

Over 400 Primary six students from across the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area gained an insight into the world of business and entrepreneurship at a recent event developed by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, in partnership with Young Enterprise.

Speaking about the initiative Vice-Chairman of the Council’s Development Committee, Alderman Allan Ewart, MBE, explains: “The event, which ran during Global Entrepreneurship Week, invited Primary six pupils from across ten schools to Lagan Valley Island to put their own entrepreneurial skills to the test through a series of tasks.  Introducing the children to the concept of entrepreneurship at this early age will give them time to build up the necessary skills and understanding of what is involved in running their own business.  This initiative is perfect to achieve this and working with Young Enterprise the Council is proactively setting the foundations for the next generation of entrepreneurs who are creative and resilient.”

All the pupils took part in a ‘Build your successful business’ task where they had to build a tower that represented business and present on what they thought were key elements to making a business a success.  For the main task pupils worked in groups of five to create a new product for a ‘fantasy nation’.  Each nation had its own culture and laws which the children had to take into consideration when coming up with their business idea.

The pupils heard from local Entrepreneur Gayle Currie from ‘MiBudi’ – a child-friendly communication device for schools.  Gayle spoke to the students about the importance of building their enterprise and entrepreneurial skills, how to start a business and the key ingredients to making that business a success at home and abroad.

Carol Fitzsimons MBE, Chief Executive with Young Enterprise NI, added: “We commend the Council for supporting the education system in the development of young people. Many young people have no experience of applying enterprise skills and don’t always realise the growing significance of these skills to employers across a range of sectors. This programme will equip them with the skills they need to develop bright careers in whatever industry they choose.”