Enterprising young teenagers from across the County are getting ready to showcase their inventions and real-life businesses at the Student Enterprise Programme, co-ordinated by Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny.Local young entrepreneurial talent will be on full displayed at the Student Enterprise Programme (SEP) County Final next Wednesday 29^th March in the Newpark Hotel. Over 125 enterprising students from secondary schools across County Kilkenny are expected to display their products and services at this event.

The SEP provides second level students at all levels from first year through to sixth year with the chance to set up and run their own business. The SEP competition begins in September at the start of the academic year and hours of work and dedication are involved before they are selected to represent their school at the County Final event. The SEP is a national initiative co-ordinated by all 31 Local Enterprise Offices across Ireland culminating to the 15^th Annual National Final Event which takes place on 4^th May in Croke Park this year.

Fiona Deegan, Head of Enterprise (Acting) with Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny said: “We run a very successful and popular Student Enterprise Programme here locally, thanks to the support of many Schools and Teachers in the area. The Student Enterprise Awards give local teenagers a taste of what it’s like to run their own business and to be their own boss. The competition certainly demonstrates that there is plenty of entrepreneurial talent in Kilkenny, which will leave the judging panel with the onerous task of winning the eventual winners”.

The event is open to the public from 1pm with the presentation ceremony taking place at 2pm. Full details of the event and the winners that will go forward to represent Kilkenny at the National Finals will be published next week.