New teacher resources that will support 900 students of 17 Clare secondary schools taking part in the Student Enterprise Programme have been launched by Local Enterprise Office Clare and Minister for Employment & Small Business, Pat Breen, T.D.
Organised and run by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices throughout Ireland, the Programme is the biggest enterprise education initiative of its kind in the country with students from 620 schools taking part every year across three categories. It runs from September to May and the 2016/2017 National Final takes place on May 3rd 2017 in Dublin’s Croke Park.
The new resources, which include a teachers’ manual, student workbook and helpful tips from successful entrepreneurs, were launched this week by Minister Breen when he visited the school of 17-year-old Wicklow student Luke Byrne who is the inventor of ‘Headphone Helpers, a silicone band to keep earphones tangle-free.
Minister Breen said: “Entrepreneurship is the backbone of our economy and starting to embed this culture at an early age is extremely important. This programme, and the new resources that are being launched today, ensures that entrepreneurship becomes a natural option for our young people as they discover their passions. We want to nurture Ireland’s future entrepreneurs and business leaders. It is great to see both teachers and entrepreneurs coming together to ensure that this solid base is built into our schools”.
Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council stated, “Thanks to the active participation of many schools, principals and teachers throughout Clare, the Student Enterprise Programme enables local students to explore the world of business, starting in the classroom. Clare County Council, through the Local Enterprise Office, is delighted to be able to organise and coordinate this programme locally.”
Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office Clare Padraic McElwee said: “The success of the local Student Enterprise Programme, which is now in its fourteenth year, is that it brings the world of enterprise and education together at grassroots level. The new resource packs were designed with the help of both teachers and entrepreneurs, to support and encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs.”
At the 2015/2016 National Final of the Student Enterprise Programme in April this year, the Junior Category winners were from St. Oliver Post Primary School in County Meath. Their winning invention was called ‘Amor,’ a modified stirrup tread for horse-riding. The Intermediate Category, which is open to second and third year students, was won by ‘Inish Wood Working’ from Scoil Mhuire Buncrana from County Donegal for their hand-crafted giftware.
Teacher resource packs are available to secondary schools, free of charge, on USB key from Local Enterprise Offices and through the www.studententerprise.ie website.