Schools in the South Cork region had the opportunity this week to showcase their mini companies at the annual Cork Airport Christmas Trade Fair  as part of the Schools Enterprise Awards.

Over Three hundred Cork students participated in the event, comprising 100 mini company groups showcasing their products and services. Students were interviewed  by a panel of judges during the Trade Fair and rated on their business acumen, before prize winners were selected according to category during an awards ceremony at the end of the event: 

• Best Exhibition Stand: 'Comhghairdeas.net' - Midleton CBS
• Best Interview: 'The Gadget Gang' - Scoil Mhuire Fan Smal Blarney 
• Best Innovation: 'CC Games' - St Coleman's Community College 
• Best Marketing : 'East Eats' - Midleton CBS 
• Best Team Spirit: 'Christmas Logs' - Glanmire Community College 

• Junior Prize: 'Colourful Candles' - Colaiste Choilm, Ballincollig
• Intermediate Prize: 'Drithle Nollaig - Colaiste An Chroi Naofa, Carrignavar 
• Overall Winner: 'Adventorious' - St. Coleman's College, Midleton

Initiated by the Local Enterprise Offices, the Schools Enterprise Awards are open to second level students across the country and has had over 17,000 participants each year. The Christmas Trade Fair enables students involved in the programme to showcase their mini companies and facilitate inter-school learning and selling.

Due to the huge increase of students in the South Cork region taking part in the programme this year, the event was held at Cork Airport for the very first time. 

"Cork Airport are absolutely delighted to host this year's event. It is a unique showcase for fresh thinking and bright ideas and it's great to see these take off at Cork Airport' said Kevin Cullinane, Head of Communications, Cork Airport. 

Now in its 10th year, the SEAs is the biggest enterprise competition for students in Ireland. It helps students to grasp real life skills associated with running a real enterprise including working as part of a team, managing production and finances, organising a sales and marketing campaign and liaising directly with customers, judges and the media. 

“Youth Entrepreneurship is so vitally important to our future economy and we are delighted to see such vibrant young entrepreneurs, who have brought the airport to life this morning showcasing their innovative ideas," said Ciara McGee, Business Adviser, Local Enterprise Office South Cork.

"The South Cork Schools Enterprise Programme are delighted to be here at the airport today and are extremely grateful to Cork Airport for hosting the Christmas Trade Fair. There has been a magnificent turn out with over 380 pupils in attendance" added Katherine Corkery, Programme Coordinator, Schools Enterprise South Cork.

Click here for more photos from this years South Cork Schools Christmas Trade Fair at Cork Airport.