26th April 2012
Minister for Small Business, John Perry T.D. has this morning [Thursday] opened the Transition Year Mini Company ‘Get Up and Go’ National Finals in the Osprey Hotel, Naas, Co.Kildare.
Speaking at the Finals, Minister Perry said: “It is young innovators like the students here today who can really make a difference to Ireland’s future. We need young people who aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and set up thriving businesses.
“The chance to experience first-hand all of the aspects and challenges of setting up a business from scratch; from thinking up the original idea, registering as a company, preparing a business plan, running the business and doing the accounts is a beneficial and invaluable opportunity.
“An evaluation of the Transition Year Programme was published by the ESRI in 2005. The evaluation showed that Transition Year students were 1.3 times more likely to enter higher education, and achieved higher grade point averages in the Leaving Certificate than non-Transition Year students.
“Mini-companies come up with excellent innovative ideas covering everything from recycling to creative websites and new mobile phone apps and we are seeing more and more clever use of technology.
“As Minister for Small Business, I must say that it is this kind of innovation which will power the economy in the future and it is great to see this being nurtured in our schools.
“Over 200 mini companies took part in the regional finals and I want to congratulate the 32 finalists who are here today from all over the country representing whole class teams. It speaks volumes for your teamwork and leadership skills, the very qualities that employers say they need in their future employees.
“As a sign of the importance placed on enterprise and the skills the students have developed through their participation in this programme, the Taoiseach will present the Seán Lemass Awards for Enterprise in May to the top three winners of today’s competition.
“I want to thank Michael O’Leary, the transition year co-ordinator and his team who provide the supports to make transition year what it is in schools and to also thank the teachers and principals who put so much into developing Transition Year programmes at school level and show how flexible and innovative our school system can be. I would also like to thank the judges for their significant input and the difficult task in selecting the winners.”
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Sinéad Fennell, Communications Advisor to Minister Perry: 086 6075266.
Michael O’Leary, National Co-ordinator Transition Year Programme: 087-2632502 / michaeloleary@pdst.ie
Notes for Editors:
The Transition Year Programme is now in its 37th year and is offered in over 560 schools with around 30,000 students annually involved. The Programme gives students the opportunity to step outside the regular curriculum and experience a wide range of educational inputs. Currently, within Transition Year, 5,620 students follow the Mini-company programme and a further 4,322 follow some other form of enterprise education.
ENDS
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