Liam Kelliher from Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh in Bishopstown at the launch of the Cork City Student Enterprise Programme 202 022. Photos: Brian Lougheed

Student enterprise programme launched

There’s a twist to this year’s Cork City Student Enterprise Programme which was recently launched.

The Programme for 2021/2022 was launched ahead of their Christmas market event on Wednesday 1 December at Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal Blarney.

Each year at the Christmas market participants have the opportunity to present their projects.

This year it will be a market with a twist as it’s organised by students for students.

Established by the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Cork City, the Cork City Student Enterprise Programme has been involved with the schools since 2004 and gives students an opportunity to experience first-hand how a business is set up and developed.

The programme gives student enterprises the opportunity to showcase their new business ideas and exhibit their products to a wider audience. Prior to the regional finals in the spring, there will be a business plan writing day at UCC on Wednesday 26 January.

The city final will then take place on Tuesday 15 March in Devere Hall, UCC.

Registration for schools opened in September with individual company registration opening on 1 October.

There are almost 800 students registered for this year’s programme.

During the eight month programme, students are exposed to all the realities and challenges faced by entrepreneurs today. Working in teams, they are involved in every stage of the business development from market research and production to sales and marketing. It is hoped that through the Cork City Student Enterprise Programme many of the participating students will eventually opt for self-employment as a career choice.

Assistant Business Advisor with LEO Cork City, Olive Guerin said: "We are delighted to launch our Student Enterprise Programme for 2021/2022.

“After a long tough year, for everyone, we are thrilled to have our Christmas Market scheduled for 1 December. This year our Christmas market will be run by the students for the students, so it is great to see how our students located in Cork city can make things happen.

“The Student Enterprise Programme is an important event in the Local Enterprise Office Cork City Calendar, this year we have 16 schools participating with record numbers of participation. It is also great to see the programme return to some face-to-face events. While we are running a hybrid model to support our students, we will look forward to more face-to-face events taking place in 2022 and our Local Enterprise Cork City Student Enterprise Final will take place on Tuesday 15 March at Devere Hall, UCC. We wish all of the participating schools the very best of luck.”

Schools taking part in this year’s program include Colaiste an Phiarsigh, Colaiste Chriost Ri, St. Aloysius School, Glanmire Community College, Scoil Mhuire gan Smal, Colaiste an Spioraid Naoimh, Colaiste Daibheid, St Angelas College, Mount Mercy College, Bishopstown Community School, Presentation Brothers College, Scoil Mhuire Cork, Presentation Secondary school, Christ King Secondary School, Ursuline College and Gael Colaiste Mhuire AG.