An Taoiseach, Mr. Enda Kenny, T.D. has officially launched the biggest student enterprise programme in the country, which is organised by the Local Enterprise Offices.
The annual Student Enterprise Awards, run by all 31 Local Enterprise Offices, attracted 17,000 teenage entrepreneurs last year from over 370 secondary schools.
Now in its 13th year, well over 100,000 students have taken part over the years by setting up and running their own student enterprises in the classroom, with support from their Local Enterprise Office.
Launching the 2014/2015 Student Enterprise Awards Programme, An Taoiseach, Mr. Enda Kenny T.D. said: "I am delighted to launch the Student Enterprise Awards which are supported by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices all over the country. This is all about nurturing and encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs and job creators as we continue to secure recovery in the country. I'd like to congratulate all those receiving an award for their enterprising spirit and bright ideas. I hope that even more students and schools will take part in this year's programme."
Explaining the benefits of the Student Enterprise Awards Programme, Stephen Walshe, the Chairperson of the Local Enterprse Offices Education Committee, which organizes the Programme said: “Our local secondary school students learn important new business and teamwork skills in the classroom that will prepare them for an enterprising future, after school. Supported and resourced by the Local Enterprise Office, the educational programme offers students a chance to research, set-up and run their own real-life enterprise, helping to foster an enterprising culture throughout the region. ”
At the National Finals of the 2013/2014 programme in Cork Park in April, Cathal Daly of ‘Upright Cycle Stands’ from De la Salle College in Waterford City won the Senior Category, enjoying an educational trip to Portugal as part of his prize.
‘Teacher’s P.E.T.’ from Gaelcholáiste Uí Chonba, Newcastlewest, in County Limerick scooped the top prize in the Intermediate Category, while ‘Sheep Watch’ from St. Oliver Post Primary School, in County Meath took home the top prize in the Junior Category.
At the launch of this year’s Student Enterprise Awards, An Taoiseach also presented several of the winning student entrepreneurs with the ‘Sean Lemass Awards for Excellence in Enterprise’.
These award-winning enterprises included: ‘Upright Cycles’, De La Salle College, Waterford City; ‘My Little Big Adventure’, Beara Community College, Castletownbere, Co. Cork; ‘Steindesign’, Castleisland Community College, Co. Kerry; ‘Squeazy’, St. Clare’s Comprehensive, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim; ‘Sweet Tooth’, Presentation Secondary School, Wexford and ‘Social Gamers’, CBS, Tralee, Co. Kerry.
Further details around the Student Enterprise Programme are available at www.studententerprise.ie or on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SEAsIreland) and Twitter: (@StudentEntAward). The hashtag for this year’s Student Enterprise Awards Programme is #studententerprise.
Pictured: Stephen Walshe, Local Enterprise Offices Education Committee Chairperson, Cathal Daly of ‘Upright Cycle Stands’, Senior Category Winner of the 2014 Student Enterprise Awards from De la Salle College, Waterford City, An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny T.D. and Vincent Reynolds, Chair of Local Enterprise Office Network launching the 2014/2015 Student Enterprise Awards, organised by the Local Enterprise Offices. The annual Student Enterprise Awards, run by all 31 Local Enterprise Offices around the country, is the biggest student enterprise programme in Ireland, attracting 17,000 teenage entrepreneurs last year from over 370 secondary schools. Now in its 13th year, well over 100,000 students have taken part over the years by setting up and running their own student enterprises in the classroom, with support from their Local Enterprise Office. Further details around this year’s programme are available at www.studententerprise.ie. The launch took place at the Seán Lemass Awards for Excellence in Enterprise at the Department of Education and Skills in Dublin, where twelve award-winning students were presented with an award by An Taoiseach, Mr. Enda Kenny T.D. The Seán Lemass Awards are a joint initiative by the Local Enterprise Offices and the Professional Development Service for Teachers.
