Schools encouraged to broaden students’ entrepreneurial skills

SECONDARY schools around South Dublin County are being encouraged to develop their pupils’ entrepreneurial skills by signing up for this year’s Student Enterprise Programme.

The programme is an initiative led by the Local Enterprise Offices of Ireland (LEO), and last year’s programme saw many budding local young entrepreneurs receive national recognition.

Last year, three enterprises represented the region as finalists in the national competition across three categories: junior, intermediate and senior.

The senior finalist was Timeout Interactive Experiences from Rockbrook Park School in Rathfarnham, offering a real-life immersive game that anyone could play.

The intermediate finalist was Daniel’s Cookies from Greenhills Community College, with their baked goods.

Finally, the junior finalist was The Simple Things May Not Be So Simple from St Mark’s Community School in Tallaght, selling children’s books supporting them in learning life skills.

Now a new tranche of students can develop their business ideas in school for this year’s competition and learn key life and business skills in the process.

Students from first year to sixth year and from all school subjects can enter in the junior, intermediate and senior categories in the Student Enterprise Programme.

Participants will learn how to create and run their own business, picking up key skills along the way such as ideation, marketing, finance and sales.

Tom Rooney, head of enterprise at LEO South Dublin said: “The Student Enterprise Programme grants our secondary school students a firsthand taste of entrepreneurship and the intricacies of managing their own enterprises.

“The programme is a practical and engaging opportunity for students, teachers, and parents, offering fresh perspectives on the potential of entrepreneurship as a viable career path.

“Additionally, it sheds light on the wide array of support services accessible through the Local Enterprise Office right here in South Dublin.

“We truly look forward to this year’s programme and to the enterprises that await us.”

Since the Student Enterprise Programme began in 2003, over 325,000 students have taken part, learning key skills on how to create a business idea, start a business and grow a business.

The Student Enterprise Programme also has a new range of online resources for 2023/2024 at www.StudentEnterprise.ie, which will feature regular blogs and houses a full range of Student Enterprise resources for students and teachers.

The programme is run through the network of Local Enterprise Offices, supported by Enterprise Ireland and the local authorities, with local coordinators in every area to support teachers and students through the year of the programme.

For full access to all content on Echo.ie and to support the continuation of local news and local journalism in your community subscribe HERE.

Thanks for your ongoing support.