A very excited 130 young entrepreneurs took part in #Leap at the South East Technological University recently. This programme is sponsored by Local Enterprise Office Waterford and run in partnership with Junior Achievement Ireland. The aim of LEAP is to encourage early-stage entrepreneurship and enterprise spirit in primary schools across Waterford city and county. By providing positive role models from local businesses and mentors, students gain greater understanding of what it means to be self-employed and a small business owner.
The five schools who took part were Scoil Mhuire, Butlerstown NS, Faithlegg NS, Réalt Na Mara NS, Waterpark NS and St. Declan’s NS.
Five volunteers, who are all either entrepreneurs and/or working in local industries, visited each class at least three times and they worked with the students
discovering what makes an entrepreneur, brainstorming ideas to set up their
companies, finding out the importance of logos and designing them,
understanding what’s in a name, the 4 P’s of marketing and also prototyping and negotiating skills.
During the LEAP Showcase, the students presented their business plans in the
form of posters to the judges otherwise known as the FROGS! (For Recognition
Of Greatness in Students).
Every student was awarded with a Certificate of Achievement and one team
from each school was awarded a plaque to recognize an outstanding achievement. Well done to all involved!
