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Eco friendly products have jointly won the Mayo regional final of the Údarás na Gaeltachta Clár na gComhlachtaí, an enterprise competition for secondary school students.
The two emerging enterprises founded by local pupils, An Glantóir Cliste from Coláiste Bhreandáin Naofa, Béal an Mhuirthead and Farraige Ghlas from Coláiste Pobail Acla, Acaill triumphed after an extremely competitive day in Áras Inis Gluaire, Béal an Mhuirthead. They will now go on to represent Mayo in the National Final of the Údarás na Gaeltachta Clár na gComhlachtaí competition.
Clár na gComhlachtaí is a hands-on business learning experience developed and delivered in partnership with Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI) and is taught by business volunteers through the Irish language to students in Gaeltacht regions.
750 Transition Year pupils from Gaeltacht regions in Cork, Galway, Donegal, Kerry, Mayo, Meath & Waterford have participated this year and challenged themselves to create, operate and manage their very own business! The programme provided pupils with numerous opportunities for the development and reinforcement of important business, academic and leadership skills, which will be invaluable to them in the future.
While the winning enterprises will progress to the National Final, the judges – Pamela Ní Thaidhg from Údarás na Gaeltachta and Claire Nic Oireachtaigh from Coláiste Uisce were thoroughly impressed with the innovative products and services on display and the entrepreneurial skills which were evident in all the teams.
Consisting of an interview with the judging panel and a public presentation in front of their fellow student entrepreneurs, judges and other invited guests the Regional Final is a test of each student’s communication as well as business skills.
Ruairí Ó Néill, Western Regional Manager, Údarás na Gaeltachta commented: “It was fantastic to witness such enterprising young people at the Údarás na Gaeltachta – Clár na gComhlachtaí Regional Final. Their knowledge and enthusiasm for their business ideas indicates that enterprise in the Gaeltacht areas is in safe hands. Údarás na Gaeltachta are proud to help promote student entrepreneurship and I’m sure we will be seeing more of these young entrepreneurs in the future. Congratulations to all the students involved and best of luck to the two winning teams at the National Final.”
On behalf of Junior Achievement Ireland, Ray Fogarty commented: “The Údarás na Gaeltachta – Clár na gComhlachtaí encourages students to maximize their potential and provides them with both business skills and life skills for their future. Thank you to the participating students, their teachers and business mentors for their dedication in showcasing the students’ entrepreneurial talent and also to Údarás na Gaeltachta for ensuring these students had this exciting real-to-life opportunity.”
The two winning teams will join other regional final winners to participate in the Údarás na Gaeltachta – Clár na Comhlachtaí National Final, which will be held online to take into account the current public health situation, on 7 May 2020.
Winners:
An Glantóir Cliste, Coláiste Bhreandáin Naofa, Béal an Mhuirthead
An innovative product that cleans your football boots, wellingtons and dirty boots.
They came up with this idea when they were playing football at home or at school as their noticed their boots were leaving dirt in the car or on school floors.
Farraige Ghlas, Coláiste Pobail Acla, Acaill
Farraige Ghlas’s aim was to create an environmentally friendly way to enjoy high-speed water sports. They intend to convert conventional fuel Jet Skis to Jet Skis with electric motors, which are more environmentally friendly
Photo 1: An Glantóir Uisce: Coláiste Bhreandáin Naofa, Ella Ní Dhochartaigh, Ailish Ní Mhaolallaigh, Ellie Ní Ghiolla Chearr
Photo 2: Farraige Ghlas, Coláiste Pobail Acla, Déaglán Ó Foghlú, Tomás Mac Namara