Dunclug College pupils learn tricks of the trade

At shopping centres across the province, pupils sold products they developed themselves in the Young Enterprise Northern Ireland Company and Team Programmes, funded by the Department of Education and supported by Royal Mail.

‘Sugar N Spice’, Dunclug College’s company sold cookery books to raise money for local charitable causes, after deciding that their company should operate as a ‘social enterprise’ for the benefit of their community.

The trade fair is the next step in the Company of the Year Competition where the best company will represent Northern Ireland in the Young Enterprise UK finals in London.

This year, approximately 90,000 students aged 5 to 19 will participate in a Young Enterprise Northern Ireland programme geared to their age group.

The goods and services on sale included gifts, crafts, cards and hand-made products.

Laura Kerr, Senior Development Manager at Young Enterprise Northern Ireland, recently visited the school to present the pupils with an award for the Best Display at the trade fair. She commented: ‘Social Enterprises, or Community Interest Companies, are defined as businesses with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners This new model is an exciting development for the Company Programme, which reflects current business trends in Northern Ireland.’

Young Enterprise is Northern Ireland’s foremost business and enterprise education charity and all its programmes are based on the principle of ‘learning by doing’, to promote a culture of enterprise from an early age. All activities are delivered by fully-trained business volunteers from partnership organisations and funded by a variety of public and private sector organisations.

To find out more about corporate support or volunteering opportunities, please contact Young Enterprise Northern Ireland on 02890 327003.