Inverness school pupils have chance to sell to their own products at Eastgate Centre
Pupils from schools in and around Inverness had their first taste of selling to the public at their Christmas market in the Eastgate Centre on December 14.
Teams from Millburn Academy, Inverness Royal Academy, Glen Urquhart High School, Charleston Academy and Culloden Academy were taking part in the annual Young Enterprise Christmas trade fair, selling products they’d made themselves.
Fior from Millburn Academy did a roaring trade with their range of recycled glass gifts while recycled paper gifts from Charleston Academy’s Paper Roots and handcrafted boot pulls from Glen Urquhart High School’s Forged in the Glen flew off the shelves.
Scented reed diffusers from Inverness Royal Academy’s Reed and Relax, draft excluders from Culloden Academy’s Eco Heat and children’s reading and colouring books from Inverness Royal Academy’s Bear-Tastic were also best sellers at the market.
Prizes were also awarded by a team of judges, with Fior picking up plaudits for product development and the mystery shopper award and Eco-heat taking home the award for environmental purpose.
Young Enterprise Scotland programmes in Highland and Moray run in partnership with local schools and businesses across the area and provide young people with a real-life learning opportunity that introduces them to the realities of the world of work.
Over the course of a year teams from individual schools 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 and teams are supported by teachers, a volunteer business adviser from the local community, and an Area Team.
Linda Thomas, chairperson of Young Enterprise Scotland Highland and Moray said: “Our judges were really impressed with the quality, branding and marketing of the products on sale at the trade fair and how engaged the teams were with the public.
“The trade fair is a great way for young people to learn about telling the stories behind their products. The enthusiasm of all the teams taking part was outstanding and we’re delighted with the progress they’ve made since they started the programme earlier this year.”
