Fortrose Academy's Team Elevate ready to rise to pandemic challenge as Young Enterprise Scotland scheme tackles unprecedented hurdles
Ross-shire’s entrepreneurs of the future got their first taste of doing business during a pandemic this month.
Pupils from Fortrose Academy were taking part in Young Enterprise Scotland Highland & Moray Area’s own online version of tv’s Dragons’ Den, pitching their idea for products by video link to a panel of local businesspeople.
Team Elevate were awarded £100 to develop plans for a universal rubber grip for utensils to help people with reduced motor skills.
All the teams taking part also received valuable advice on how to take their idea forward in time to set up a socially distanced Covid-proof stall at the annual Young Enterprise Scotland Christmas trade fair in Inverness on Saturday 12 December.
The Young Enterprise Scotland Company Programme for Highland and Moray runs in partnership with local schools and businesses across the area to encourage young people to experience the challenges of running a business.
Over the course of a year teams from individual schools learn how to run a successful business by designing and making products, marketing them and managing the financial side of the business. The scheme is aimed at 15 to 19-year olds and teams are supported by teachers, a volunteer business adviser from the local community, and an Area Team.
Linda Thomas, Chair of YES Highland and Moray said: “Dragons’ Den is always a challenge for our teams as they refine their concepts for their products and sell them to the panel. This year was even more difficult than usual but the teams rose to the challenge, delivering their presentations and answering questions online with aplomb. Our Dragons were hugely impressed with the time and energy that had gone into researching markets and products and we all look forward to seeing the plans coming to fruition over the next few weeks
“Now more than ever it’s obvious that taking part in the Young Enterprise Company Programme is not just about learning how to run a business. Our teams of young people learn about working together, thinking creatively and managing change and challenging circumstances, all of which is great preparation for their careers and will stand them in good stead, particularly in these difficult times.”
