Business competition helps pupils hone key skills
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Pupils from Inverness schools took the first step towards setting up their own businesses by taking part in their own version of TV’s Dragons’ Den.
The teenagers had to pitch their ideas to a panel of local businesses at Nairn Community Centre, made up of freelance chef Emma Swan, Grant Wright of Ashtour, David Coutts of iSight Systems and Marie Smith, president of Moray Business Women.
Millburn Academy’s Go Fetch team scooped £75 to create a range of products for dogs.
Wild Style from Inverness High School took away £60 for their scheme to produce hand-crafted clay and recycled gift products.
And Culloden Academy’s Culloden Coasters picked up £60 for their laser engraved glass and slate gift range.
The teams also walked away with some valuable advice on how to take their ideas forward in time to set up a stall at the annual Young Enterprise Scotland Christmas trade fair outside the Eastgate Shopping Centre in Inverness tomorrow from 10am.
The Dragon’s Den-style event was set up by Young Enterprise Scotland (YES) programme for Highland and Moray.
YES is a registered charity and has been working to support young people in Scotland for more than 40 years.
It is rolled-out in partnership with schools and businesses in en effort to encourage young people to try their hand at running a business.
Over a year, school teams learn how to run a successful business by designing and making products, marketing them and managing the financial side of the business.
The scheme is aimed at 15 to 19-year-olds.
Linda Thomas, chairwoman of YES Highland and Moray said: "Our Dragons were particularly impressed with the professional presentations and well thought-out ideas from the teams of young people taking part this year.
"Succeeding in the world of work is more challenging than ever so the expert advice given by the business people on the panel was invaluable.
"But taking part was not just about learning how to run a business; young people also learned about working together and thinking creatively."
