Fortrose Academy pupils set for Athens trip after winning major UK-wide award
Fortrose Academy’s team of young entrepreneurs has swept the boards at two top enterprise events.
The Black Isle’s team Solasta won the Scottish Company of the Year at the Young Enterprise Scotland Awards in Glasgow and went on to triumph in Manchester at the UK Company of the Year finals event on June 4.
At both events Solasta were recognised for their expertise in designing, producing and selling their intergenerational journals which encourage families to connect and record their memories.
The team will now go on to represent the UK at the Junior Achievement European awards in Athens, Greece on July 1-3, known as the European “Oscars” of Youth Entrepreneurship.
The Young Enterprise Scotland Company Programme for Highland and Moray runs in partnership with local schools to encourage young people to experience the challenges of running a business.
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. 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 a Young Enterprise Scotland area team.
Linda Thomas, chair of Young Enterprise Highlands and Moray, said: “We are absolutely delighted but not at all surprised at Solasta’s success. Their hard work, tenacity and creativity have been a joy to watch and they are a true credit to the Highlands.
“Their win at the national finals in Glasgow brings the tally of teams from the Highlands and Moray who have won the top Young Enterprise Scotland award to ten over the last 18 years – a clear demonstration that young people from this area absolutely have all it takes to succeed in the world of work.”
Keira Lyall, head of Business Studies at Fortrose Academy, said: “The team are still on a high after their great achievement and the tremendous experience of taking part in both finals.
“We’d like to thank everyone who generously stepped in quickly to provide sponsorship to help us travel to Manchester and represent the Highlands on a national stage. We are now making plans to get to Athens for the European finals in July and if any local business would like to get involved, please email us on keira.lyall@highland.gov.uk.”
Councillor John Finlayson, chair of Highland Council’s education committee, said: “I was delighted to hear about Solasta, the team from Fortrose Academy who won the UK Young Enterprise final in Manchester on the 4th of June. As someone who has always promoted the importance of including enterprise in the work of all our schools, I congratulate Fortrose staff and pupils on their success and I wish them well in the European Final in Greece on 4th July.”
