will.i.am has special message for St Killian’s pupils

At an event in Belfast recently, Fergus McCambridge and Calum Black were among more than 200 young people to hear the special message from The Voice star.

The St George’s Market event saw teenagers from 80 schools and colleges across Northern Ireland gather for the annual Generation Innovation ‘Night of Ambition’ in Belfast.

Organised by the Northern Ireland Science Park, Generation Innovation inspires 16-17 year olds to consider a career in the tech and creative industries by getting them up close and personal with some of the region’s most influential startup entrepreneurs and successful tech founders.

In his recorded message, will.i.am encouraged the teenagers to “getexcited” about a career in the entrepreneurial knowledge economy.

Programme Manager, Claire Burgoyne said: “Generation Innovation aims to show young people in Northern Ireland that there are success stories right here on their own doorstep; local innovators who have been there, done that – and who are making it, big time.

“This is a unique opportunity to meet these guys, interact with them and pick their brains for advice.

“We want these students to go away thinking, ‘I want to be like them – if they can do it, so can I.

“If Northern Ireland is to continue to develop its entrepreneurial knowledge economy, then it is dependent on the current generation of 16-17 year olds finding their way to careers in the sector.”