Young Inverness entrepreneurs sell own products at Christmas market
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Pupils from schools in and around Inverness set out their stalls in the Eastgate earlier this month.
Teams from Millburn Academy, Inverness Royal Academy, Glen Urquhart High School, Nairn Academy and Culloden Academy were taking part in the annual Young Enterprise Christmas trade fair, selling products they had made themselves.
OrbitTech from Millburn Academy did a roaring trade with their range of fidget keychains, while a card game to help promote better mental health in teenagers from Culloden Academy’s Unravel and Inverness Royal Academy’s Scottish Sprouts’ sustainable gardening boxes flew off the shelves.
Handcrafted wooden key chains from Glen Urquhart High School’s Highland Chains and hand poured candles from Nairn Academy’s Flower and Flame were also best sellers at the market which reported record total sales of over £2,000.
Prizes were also awarded by a team of judges, with Scottish Sprouts picking up plaudits for best product evolution and the mystery shopper award, and Flower and Flame taking home the most aromatic stall award.
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, chairwoman of Young Enterprise Scotland Highland and Moray said: “Our judges were really impressed with the quality, range and design of the products on sale at the trade fair and how confidently the teams sold their products to the public.
“The trade fair is a great way for young people to learn about marketing and 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.”
