Local students get a head start with ‘QuickStart

Enterprising students at Banbridge Academy have recently completed the Young Enterprise Northern Ireland ‘QuickStart’ programme, and were presented with certificates of participation by Mark Tumilty, Manager of the Ulster Bank’s Banbridge branch.
Pupils from Banbridge Academy Year 9 who took part in Junior Quickstart a Young Enterprise programme.. The pupils created designed and manufactured their own product and sold them in school. Included are Mr Raymond Pollock, principal, Mark Tumelty, Ulster Bank, Cathy Morrison, YE, Aileen Gilpen, Acadmey Head of Careers, and Mr Trevor Dempsey, teacher. INBL0914-ACADPupils from Banbridge Academy Year 9 who took part in Junior Quickstart a Young Enterprise programme.. The pupils created designed and manufactured their own product and sold them in school. Included are Mr Raymond Pollock, principal, Mark Tumelty, Ulster Bank, Cathy Morrison, YE, Aileen Gilpen, Acadmey Head of Careers, and Mr Trevor Dempsey, teacher. INBL0914-ACAD
Pupils from Banbridge Academy Year 9 who took part in Junior Quickstart a Young Enterprise programme.. The pupils created designed and manufactured their own product and sold them in school. Included are Mr Raymond Pollock, principal, Mark Tumelty, Ulster Bank, Cathy Morrison, YE, Aileen Gilpen, Acadmey Head of Careers, and Mr Trevor Dempsey, teacher. INBL0914-ACAD

Supported by Ulster Bank and the Department of Education Northern Ireland, the programme is designed to give students practical business experience by running their own company.

The students worked with a business mentor from Ulster Bank throughout the process business of setting up and running their companies, ‘Third Hand, who produced handy holders, ‘Up to Date’, producing glow stick candles, ‘Company Logo’ producing a card game and ‘Team Infinity’, scented candles.

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Banbridge Academy’s QuickStart companies’ participation in the programme culminated in a ‘Dragon’s Den’-style presentation to the Ulster Bank volunteers

Mrs Aileen Gilpin, Careers Teacher at Banbridge Academy, was delighted with the results. “This activity has given Year 9 pupils the opportunity to use their creativity and group work skills in the design and development of their own unique products. Tasked with the development of a business plan and the sale of their product, pupils have also developed their ability in numeracy and communication through this project.”

Cathy Morrison, Senior Development Manager at Young Enterprise Northern Ireland, commented: ‘Quick Start is a fantastic way for the students to gain first-hand experience of how business works. The students have gained new skills by preparing a business plan and designing, producing and marketing their products. They were also expected to present a report and business accounts. Ulster Bank has been extremely generous in its support of the programmes, and we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to them. It’s been a very exciting venture, and all at Young Enterprise congratulate the students on their enthusiasm and commitment to ensuring the success of their businesses.”

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 supported by the Department of Education and a variety of public and private sector organisations.

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