Young enterprise awards backed by big businesses
THE spirit of enterprise is growing in the North East and to celebrate that burgeoning success The Journal and our sister paper The Middlesbrough Evening Gazette are supporting the annual Young Enterprise Awards for 2008.
Along with over a dozen of the North East’s leading companies and organisations we appreciate that the key to the region’s prosperity lies in encouraging our youth to view entrepreneurship as a viable career choice.
The lead sponsor for this year’s awards is Newcastle-based software giant Sage, other sponsors include the Arts Council, One NorthEast, Wellstream, Space and the Specials Laboratory.
Jo Ray, managing director of Sage’s small business division said: “Young Enterprise is an important organisation and one that we’re delighted to be involved with.
“Today, more and more young people are realising the benefits of running their own businesses and we are excited about getting to know this ‘generation enterprise’ and helping them to learn by experiencing business life for real. I’m sure there’s also plenty that we can learn from them!”
The awards – which are now in their 15th year – aim to epitomise the wealth of innovation, initiative and entrepreneurship in the region’s young people.
Young Enterprise North East (YENE), which was first established in the North East in 1975, aims to offer a wide range of stimulating, curriculum enhancing programmes that enable young people of all ages to gain personal experience of the world of business whilst still in education.
This includes the unique opportunity to establish and run a profit-making company.
Figures show that some 20,000 school and college students aged between four and 24, take part in YENE initiatives every school year.
YENE Catherine Marchant chief executive said: “I am delighted that these high profile companies are supporting the YENE Awards this year. It demonstrates their understanding and commitment to the work of Young Enterprise in developing the region’s young people who are their future workforce and business leaders.
“These businesses know that in order to continue to grow and prosper they need a highly skilled and enterprising workforce, alongside a vibrant and economically sound region.”
