Budding local entrepreneurs were rewarded for
their money-making ventures on Wednesday (30 April) evening at the
annual Young Enterprise awards at Beau Sejour.
The evening showcased the achievements of
students from all the local sixth form schools, as well as a team
from Oakvale.
Awards will be presented in a range of
categories, from best management or use of IT, to top
marketing.
The main individual award was the Sure Young
Achiever of the Year, which will be presented by Stan Fitzgerald,
Facilities Director for Sure.
Mr Fitzgerald said: "The talent and motivation
that these young people have shown has been excellent, and I would
personally congratulate everyone who took part. They have
demonstrated a real entrepreneurial spirit and some excellent
business skills, and the Young Enterprise scheme has provided them
with a real insight into what it is like to operate in the
commercial world. It fills me with confidence about the future of
the island."
Nearly 100 youngsters took part in this year’s
scheme. Over the past nine months the five Young Enterprise teams
have come up with a range of products and services.
Rave, Strike, Innovision, Exclaim, and The Best
Sellers have produced a range of products from t-shirts to jars of
nothing, as well as hosting fashion shows and stage events.
On the evening each company had a display in
the lower foyer of Beau Sejour, with an award for the best stand,
and gave a presentation on their business activities over the
year.
David Packman, chairman of Young Enterprise
Guernsey said that he is once again very pleased with the quality
of the companies.
"We have enjoyed another excellent Young
Enterprise season, and there have once again been some very good
companies who have produced, marketed and sold some interesting
products," he said.
"Watching the achievers develop their business
skills as well as their presentation skills, and overall confidence
is a truly rewarding experience."
Mr Packman also said that he was very grateful
to the volunteer advisers who helped this year, and that they are
already looking for next years volunteers.
"I am very pleased with the effort and time
donated by the advisers, but would also like to ask anyone able to
assist with premises or as an adult advisor next year to get in
touch," he said.
Anyone able to volunteer to help with premises
or as an adult advisor can contact Kate Lenfestey at
areaboard@cwgsy.netNotes to the editor:
Operating in Guernsey since 1982, Young
Enterprise is a national education charity founded in the UK in
1963. The charity operates on a ‘learning by doing’ principle
forging links between education and commerce with its stated
mission, “To inspire and equip young people to learn and succeed
through enterprise.”
In simple terms, YE helps young people to set
up and run their own companies – even experiencing liquidation - as
they formally shut down their businesses after nine months.
The Presentations & Awards evening is the
culmination of the 2007/8 programme which began last September.
Students from all the Islands Secondary Schools are invited to take
part in the ‘Company’ Programme, and students from Oakvale School
are invited to participate in the ‘Team’ Programme.