YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS:Christmas trade fairs are part of a programme that provides business training to 32 schools and youth centres in low-income communities in Ireland
ACROSS IRELAND, the sounds and sights of Christmas are a call to action for thousands of young entrepreneurs. For the past few weeks, secondary school students have laid out their stalls, hoping to entice seasonal shoppers with cosmetics, jewellery, art, gift baskets and food.
The students are participating in the National Foundation for Training Entrepreneurship (NFTE) programme, which provides business training to 32 schools and youth centres in low-income communities on the island of Ireland. In 2005, NFTE Ireland piloted its programme in Coláiste Dhúlaigh and Bonnybrook Youthreach, both based in Dublin, and it now also operates in Limerick, Donegal, Belfast and Derry.
“It’s about building your own pathway to prosperity,” says Claire Hutchinson, programme officer with NFTE Ireland. “For some students who may not be academically strong, the programme reignites their interest in their own education and future.” Caroline Flynn, a 16-year-old student at Coláiste Dhúlaigh in Coolock, Dublin 17, is one of many students taking part in business trade fairs this month. “I really enjoy cooking, so I’ve been making biscuits and selling three for €1,” she says. “I sold 63 out of 70 units at a trade fair earlier this month. Now I’m taking part in a Christmas trade fair, which will be held in the school on December 18th.”
Caroline’s teacher, Olive O’Keeffe, believes that the NFTE programme provides students with valuable skills: “It teaches them the basics of running a business, and for a lot of students who wouldn’t have the confidence or know-how to go out and sell a product, this is their first opportunity. Once they’ve had that initial push, they have the opportunity to build their own business.”
Gemma Leahy and Gemma Shannon, both students at St Dominic’s secondary school in Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, launched their business, GG Handmade Cards, at the NFTE Christmas Trade Fair in the Royal Hibernian Way, just off Dublin’s Grafton Street, on December 2nd. The girls wanted to give their cards a professional, contemporary finish, and have used the best paper and design materials on the market. They intend to diversify the business by producing bookmarks and other keepsakes, such as fridge magnets. The girls will donate a portion of their profits to charity.
Teachers delivering the NFTE programme receive at least three days’ training, while students undertake over 40 hours of instruction across 12 modules, learning about the fundamentals of business, the character of an entrepreneur, sales, marketing, finance, and business development. The NFTE provides all participating students with a basic €15 grant, and also has an alumni service for students who wish to develop their business ideas after school.
“The NFTE programme is about learning through doing, and the students get to keep any profit they make,” says Hutchinson. “The trade fairs give students a small taste of what it is like to sell in the real world: they have to consider design, pricing, communication, and presentation skills.”
For more information on the NFTE and Christmas trade fairs, go to nfte.ie or call 01-7007439
