Retail, Gadgets and Regeneration feature in innovative creative competition
From super scanners to shops of the future, creativity was alive and well in Visual on 29th November 2016 for the Student Concept Competition hosted by the Carlow County Council’s - Local Enterprise Office in association with Thermo Air, Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Visual, IT Carlow, AIB & Carlow Regional Youth Services.
Speaking about the competition Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, Cllr. John Murphy, said that “The development of young entrepreneurs at primary and second level students is an essential step in the growth of County Carlow and will increase future business start-ups. As such, young people should be seen as a key element in our drive to establish more micro and small business which will in turn aid job creation”
Dan McInerney, Deputy Chief Executive of Carlow County Council further added “The Student Concept Competition helps drive the economy by getting the students to think about starting their own business. We have to encourage and stimulate students to be ambitious about their own potential to go into business for themselves, and the Student Concept Competition is a really important opportunity for them. ”
Over 34 students shared in a prize fund of €2,500 which included vouchers for Fairgreen Shopping Centre , Samsung Tablets from Swans Electrical, trophies from Douglas’s, special prizes from Visual and teacher prizes sponsored by AIB presented by a presentation party made up of elected members and project partners.
The competition was broken into five categories based on the background of the event partners who this year were AIB, Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Thermo Air, Visual, Carlow Regional Youth Services & IT Carlow. Winner of the Gadget of the Future category was Becky Hughes with “The Mood Bulb” from Ballinabranna National School. The Retailing Section was won by Sarah Wilson from Carlow National School with her innovative “Super Scanner”, the Air - Heat Regeneration / Recovery section was won by Chris Buckley from Ballon , National School and the Youth Services category was won by Eoin Walsh from John Sweeney Park After Schools Group. A special visual prize was awarded to Lilly Higgins from Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal & Liam McDonnell from St. Brigid National School.
Kieran Comerford, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Carlow added: “Support is available through the Local Enterprise Office and this competition is designed to raise awareness of these supports with the students. We encourage the students to be innovative, collaborative and creative when coming up with products that will help them explore their ideas and appetite for going into business for themselves.”
