Press Release for Immediate Release – 16th November 2021
Carlow Launches 20th Annual Student Enterprise Programme
With the announcement of the Local Enterprise Offices’ Student Enterprise Programme 2021/2022 Carlow’s secondary school students have begun formulating their plans to enter Ireland’s largest business and enterprise programme for second level students.
Over 500 students from 10 secondary schools in County Carlow have registered in this year’s Programme, all striving to make it to the National Finals in April 2022.
Ireland’s largest student enterprise programme was launched recently in what is now its 20th year. An initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices to encourage entrepreneurship in secondary schools, the Student Enterprise Programme has seen over 300,000 secondary school students take part since it first began.
Speaking about the programme , Cllr. Fintan Phelan, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council said “County Carlow has a proud history of entrepreneurship and I have no doubt that the Student Enterprise Programmes supports the development of the next generation of entrepreneurs in the Community”. The Cathaoirleach continued to say “I am delighted that the Local Enterprise Office in Carlow County Council play such an active role in supporting our schools , teachers and principals in the delivery of this programme and I look forward to seeing the results first hand at our County Final in 2022”.
The enterprise education initiative, funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland and delivered by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities throughout the country, saw over 29,000 students from almost 500 secondary schools across the country take part in 2020 / 2021 with similar numbers expected to be involved this year.
The students will compete across three categories, Junior, Intermediate and Senior and judging takes place virtually via electronic submissions. Each student enterprise is challenged with creating, setting up and running their own business, which must show sales of their service or product.
The programme also has two additional categories that students can enter. These are the “Most Creative Business Idea” video competition for the Senior category and the “My Entrepreneurial Journey” category for the Junior and Intermediate categories.
Jim Woods , Business Advisor with the Local Enterprise Offices, said; “The Student Enterprise Programme continues to go from strength-to-strength year on year and the 20th year promises to be no different. In recent years we have seen students react to create businesses that are solving real world problems, whether it be pandemic related or within sustainability and the green agenda. Our students don’t want to just create a business, but a business that makes a difference in the world and it’s fantastic to see. We are looking forward to seeing what this year’s students have to offer.”
Since the Student Enterprise Programme began in 2003, over 300,000 students have taken part, learning key skills on how to create a business idea, start a business and grow a business. The Student Enterprise Programme also has new range of online resources for 2021 / 2022 at www.StudentEnterprise.ie, which will feature regular blogs and houses a full range of Student Enterprise resources for students and teachers.
Ends
For further information contact Jim Woods on jwoods@carlowcoco.ie or by calling 087- 381 5930
Photo Caption: Cllr. Fintan Phelan, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council & Jim Woods , Business Advisor , Local Enterprise Office , Carlow County Council.
