Up to 117 second level students from all parts of the Mayo Gaeltacht are creating, designing and innovating in preparation for this year’s Údarás na Gaeltachta – Clár na gComhlachtaí which was launched this week.
The budding young entrepreneurs were set on their way by Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of Culture with responsibility for Gaeilge, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Joe McHugh who launched this year’s Údarás na Gaeltachta – Clár na gComhlachtaí this week.
More than 750 transition year students from Gaeltacht regions in Mayo, Donegal, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Meath and Waterford will participate in the Údarás na Gaeltachta – Clár na gComhlachtaí this year.
In the Mayo Gaeltacht 117 students will take part in this year’s programme from Coláiste Muire, Tuar Mhic Éadaigh; Coláiste Pobail Acla; Clochar na Trócaire, Béal an Mhuirthead and Gaelcholáiste Chomáin, Ros Dumhach.
Clár na gComhlachtaí is a hands-on business learning experience developed and delivered in partnership with Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI ) and is taught through the Irish language to students attending schools in Gaeltacht regions.
Based on the well-established JA Company Programme and Company of the Year Competition, students create, operate and manage their own business.
The programme provides numerous opportunities for the development and reinforcement of important academic and leadership skills.
Local business volunteers, each of whom is recruited, trained and supported by JAI, mentor the students alongside their teachers as they move from the idea generation stage, to production, marketing, sales, and finance right through to going to market.
In February 2018, participating students will be challenged to report on the progress they have made at regional finals.
These events will take place in each region and will allow the emerging entrepreneurs to display their finished products at trade stands, and be interviewed by a judging panel before pitching their business ideas on stage to a public audience. The regional finals are an ideal opportunity for the students to showcase the knowledge gained and the skills acquired in the course of the programme.
Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh, CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta, said: “Údarás na Gaeltachta is dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship in Gaeltacht areas and we would like to thank Junior Achievement Ireland for their commitment to this programme.
“We are confident that the skills and practical business experience Gaeltacht students will gain through their participation in Clár na gComhlachtaí is a significant building block which will lead to future Gaeltacht enterprises.”
