We’re delighted to get involved in an upcoming initiative being led by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to encourage entrepreneurship among young people across Ireland. This initiative is called ‘Young People Creating Jobs’. It’s a programme which challenges 15-22 year olds to generate a business idea that they believe will lead to job creation.
The young people will be invited to submit business plans or projects to develop an idea that they believe will create sustainable employment. Successful applicants who demonstrate that their idea has capacity to generate employment will be shortlisted and interviewed by a judging panel. All participants will receive feedback on their proposals from the business leaders. Winning applicants will receive a market research prize of €15,000 to support their business idea and also spend time shadowing selected senior businesspeople.
The top proposals will win a week shadowing a CEO or Directors of a major Irish company. They include:
Directors from Google Ireland
David McRedmond, CEO of TV3
Colette Twomey, Clonalkilty Black Pudding and Veuve Cliquot Businesswoman of the Year 2011
Alan Foy, CEO Blueface (Telecommunications technology)
Dylan Collins, Internet Entrepreneur
It goes without saying that Ireland has undoubtedly faced challenging times over the last few years. In order to emerge from our economic constraints, the next generation has a huge responsibility to return Ireland to prosperity and full employment.
This Government initiative assists, albeit in a small way, to encourage our young people to confidently chart an ambitious future for them and for Ireland. Collectively we have a shared responsibility to promote an entrepreneurial spirit among young people. We also have a responsibility to pass on the lessons learned along the way.
Hopefully the next generation of entrepreneurs can avoid many of the mistakes of those who have preceded them and confidently chart a sustainable, successful future for Ireland.
You can find details about the initiative here of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs Website
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