The 4th Class students from Scoil Una Naofa sought “investment” for their entrepreneurial ideas when they pitched to the “Dragon’s” in Metlife as part of Junior Achievements Dragon’s Den event recently.
The event marked the completion of the students enterprise programme ‘My First Business’, during which they created advertising and marketing plans for their new businesses. In the weeks previous to the finale, Metlife volunteers visited the classroom introducing students to what it means to be an entrepreneur, and putting final touches on their business plans, before presenting them to their peers, teachers, and Metlife volunteers – a Junior Dragons Den!
The enthusiastic volunteer group shared their own real life experiences with the students, motivating them to become future entrepreneurs. The class visit to Metlife was a wonderful opportunity for them to pitch their ideas to business professionals for the first time outside the classroom and see how products could enter the market and impact their local community.
“Thanks to the support of the MetLife Foundation we have been able to partner with Junior Achievement for a number of years, delivering classroom programmes and events that encourage a culture of enterprise within the education system, helping students to develop the skills they need to succeed in a changing world. Programmes like Dragons Den impact positively on students’ learning, specifically in the areas of entrepreneurial thought and understanding business, but mostly in developing their own confidence when presenting ideas and building negotiation skills. MetLife’s associates get a great kick out of working with such confident and creative students, and also get the chance to build on their own communication skills. These types of events instil a passion for serving the common good by giving employees the tools and opportunities through which they can enhance the community around them.” – Rory Conway (VP Chief Compliance Officer EMEA).
Junior Achievement aims to bridge the gap between school and the world of work to inspire students to remain in education. With the support of the Metlife Foundation. the Junior Dragons’ Den is one of many opportunities being afforded to students in this academic year.