Deputy Mayor, Councillor Bréanainn Lyness, and Young Enterprise NI’s Jane Hanna pictured along with local primary school pupils that took part in a recent Dragons’ Den-style pitch panel event.
A joint entrepreneurship programme between Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and Young Enterprise NI recently held a ‘Dragons’ Den’-style pitch panel and celebrated the success of work by pupils across the borough to develop products and businesses.
It all started with: ‘What is an entrepreneur?’
That is the question the 250 Primary 6/7 pupils from 9 schools across the Mid and East Antrim borough were asked.
And their response was not a generic ‘a person who runs their own business’, but ME!
Young Enterprise NI has been working with the schools over the last 4 months on an enterprise exploration project as part of the Council’s outreach programme to promote the Go Succeed service.
During this time, pupils formed their own businesses in class, chose their job roles – some by interview – and sourced their start-up capital to get a business idea to the market. They have planned their production processes and marketing plans including the branding of their businesses.
Through selling their products in school, and at the Mini Market at the Fairhill Centre in March, the students further developed their teamwork, problem solving, communication, numeracy and literacy skills and customer services.
EY Consultant, Jason Wallace, played the role of a mystery shopper asking tricky questions of the teams, testing their business plans and product ideas.
With over £3,000 profit an amazing experience for all involved.
Most recently, the pupils had the opportunity to pitch their business to the panel of expert judges from local business advice teams and industry.
The ‘Dragons’ Den’-styled pitch panel comprised of Jim Briggs, Ballymena Business Centre, Gemma McAuley, Kilwaughter Chemicals Ltd and Christine Barnhill from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Economic Development team.
The judges commented on the amazing pitches and awarded the winning pitch to ‘Pretty Positive’ from St Brigid’s Primary School who were congratulated on their award by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Breanainn Lyness.
Deputy Mayor Lyness said:
“It has been amazing to see and hear the extraordinary ideas brought forward by each of the business teams.
“Their products and knowledge about their business plans show the hard work and dedication or the pupils, their teachers and the Young Enterprise NI team.
He continued:
“Council recognises entrepreneurial skills as a key development area for future business growth across the borough, and it is wonderful to see so many schools and pupils actively involved in this programme. I can’t wait to see where the skills these pupils have developed over the past number of months takes them in their future, and the businesses that they go on to develop.
“I would like to thank the teachers and pupils from St Brigid’s PS, Kells and Connor PS, St Colmcille’s PS, Moyle PS, Islandmagee PS, Dunclug PS, Moorfields PS, Woodburn PS and St John’s PS Carnlough for their enthusiasm and hard work during the last 4 months.”
Feedback from one teacher stated:
“A very positive experience. The children learned a great deal about financial responsibility, teamwork and organisation during the programme. They were able to identify their own strengths and areas for development and got an opportunity to present their work in class.”
Carol Fitzsimons MBE, Chief Executive of Young Enterprise, said:
“The support of Mid and East Antrim Council to engage young people at Primary school in business is vital to raise early awareness of starting your own business as a potential career pathway. For those that have developed an entrepreneurial spirit, this programme has shown them that Go Succeed and local Council will be there to support them on their journey.”
To learn more about the Go Succeed NI programme or for advice on starting your own business, please visit: www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/StartABusiness or email: amplify@midandeastantrim.gov.uk