Co-ordinated by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities across the country, the Student Enterprise Programme is now in its 16^th year.

23,600 students from 480 Irish secondary schools take part in Student Enterprise Programme through the Local Enterprise Offices every year, bringing the world of business into the classroom.

Starting every September, students across three age categories (Junior, Intermediate and Senior) research, set up, and run their own businesses with the help of their teachers and supports from Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny. Nationwide, 230 students from 77 different student enterprises reached this year’s National Finals, having qualified through school and county finals earlier in the year.

Student entrepreneurs from CBS Kilkenny and Coláiste Éamann Rís, Callan represented County Kilkenny on May 2^nd.

-          Hot Chills Ltd from Coláiste Eamann Rís in the Junior Category

-          Lift Arm Assist from the CBS Kilkenny in the Intermediate Category

-          Kat Food also from CBS Kilkenny in the Senior Category

All participating Kilkenny students were winners at the National Final this year, with the project Life Arm Assist project from CBS Kilkenny scooping the first prize in the Intermediate category. Students from Coláiste Éamann Rís Callan were presented with Best Display in the Junior Category while Kat Food project also from CBS Kilkenny won the Special Merit Award in the Senior category. The students were presented with their awards on stage by the Minister for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen T.D. and Sheelagh Daly of the Local Enterprise Offices.

The winning students in the Intermediate category were: Edward Daly, John O’Brien and Matthew O’Sullivan who worked under the guidance of their teacher, Mr Pat Downey to develop their awarding winning innovative product “Life Arm Assist”. They developed an innovative hydraulic ram that replaces the life arm stabilizer on the back of a tractor. It has been developed as a labour saving device but also reduces the incidence of serious accidental injury.

In the Senior Category, the Special Merit award was presented to KAT Food project developed by Conor McCarthy and the late Colm Dunne, under the guidance of Ms. Anna Culleton also from CBS Kilkenny. These students published a compilation of healthy, easy recipes from our favourite hurling and camogie stars. KAT Food cookbook arose as a combination of respective interest from Conor & Colm - Colm has a passion for GAA and Conor has an interest in culinary skills. Colm who sadly passed away recently was proudly represented by his brother Peter at the National Final.

Working under the guidance of Ms. Emer Hickey from Coláiste Éamann Rís, Callan the Junior Category award winners are: Jack O'Shea, Jim Power and Nathan Ryan who won Best Display for their hot chocolate products.