Budding business leaders from across the north-east will gather for the launch of another Young Enterprise (YE) Grampian competition tonight.
More than 350 fifth and sixth year pupils from 20-plus secondary schools are expected to attend the event, along with teachers and business advisers, in Nexen’s North Sea headquarters at the Prime Four business park in Kingswells, Aberdeen.
The YE programme sees teams of schoolchildren throughout Scotland setting up and running their own businesses for a year, with the best examples winning coveted prizes in regional and national competitions.
Tonight’s “masterclass” will help local teenagers get their companies up and running by providing practical information and Q&A sessions with last year’s YEG Grampian winners, 5th Scent of Inverurie Academy, and other finalists.
Scottish entrepreneurs who will be on hand to pass on their tips and advice include Harris Aslan, founder of Perthshire-based fashion designer and manufacturer Aslamco and Jo Morris, who set up educational website Geology Girl Rocks.
The event will end with a workshop, led by Alisdair Wiseman of training, coaching and consulting business Innovation Zone, intended to spark entrepreneurial talent.
YEG chairman Neil Marchant said: “The masterclass is really about getting the students’ creative juices flowing and also giving them a feel for what is involved in setting up a business.
“Throughout this year they will experience highs and lows, learn from their mistakes, face new challenges and enjoy successes – just like in real business life.
“We want them to come out of this programme with a good understanding of the world of commerce and, hopefully, a hunger to lead their own venture.
“We are still looking for business advisors to work with some of the teams and would urge anyone interested to come along or contact us to find out more.”
After setting up their businesses, teams will take part in a series of events such as trade fairs before submitting a company report about their experiences. Six finalists will compete in the Grampian finals in April and the winner will represent the region in Scottish finals next June.
