Students across the county are ’getting down to business ‘ this month, as the annual Student Enterprise Programme kicks off once more.  This national programme, co-ordinated locally by the Local Enterprise Office, Wicklow encourages second level students to set up and run their own business, giving them the opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship and the real life experience of being their own boss.

The Student Enterprise Programme is the largest of its kind with over 22,000 students from across the country taking part last year.  Earlier this year, Luke Byrne from Colaiste Craobh Abhann in Kilcoole, beat off stiff competition from student entrepreneurs all over the country to take the top prize at the National Final in Croke Park, with his business 'Headphone Helpers'. 

Wicklow is hoping to make it two wins in a row, and the work begins in earnest now with students  and teachers getting down to business again as the school year starts. The programme is open to all second level schools, and runs from now until next March, when participating schools will forward their enterprises to compete in the county final in which will take place on Tuesday 28th March 2017, in the Clermont campus in Rathnew.  There are plenty of supports for students and teachers available throughout the programme from the Local Enterprise Office, including workbooks, workshops and visits from local entrepreneurs. 

To learn more about the Student Enterprise Programme, visit   www.studententerprise.ie or contact Serena Bryans, Student Enterprise Coordinator for Wicklow, on 086 411 9200.