Young entrepreneurs are rewarded for trade skills

Feb 13 2010 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

NEWCASTLE students made a strong showing at the annual Young Enterprise North East (YENE) Trade Fair awards.

A record 44 student companies, which have set up their own businesses as part of their Young Enterprise programme, set out their stalls at the Metrocentre to compete in the seven award categories.

The young tycoons all took part in the Young Enterprise company, team (special needs) or graduate programmes, which saw them set up a trading company, sell their innovative products to the public and learn all about business in the process.

Students from John Spence Community High School in North Shields scooped the overall winner award with their company Cookii Doh, which designs and prints bespoke T-shirts and badges.

Newcastle University graduates won the best graduate programme category with their business Queen Bee Candles, an eco-friendly candle-making company that also raises money to save bees.

The most creative company award went to students from Newcastle College who set up Button your Face – a company that designs and prints coloured textiles that cover buttons and turns them into jewellery.

Students from Newcastle Church High School won the Best use of sales and marketing award for their promotion of their business Bright Life Books.

Northumbria University students won the best trade stand category – Wooden Spoon set out their stall with a student cookbook, which includes recipes that take a twist on classic student meals.

Students from Oakleigh Gardens school in Cleadon, South Tyneside, scooped the best team programme’ award with their company Del Boy Enterprises, which produces handmade fridge magnets, jewellery, bookmarks and tea lights all for just £1.

Also taking an award for south of the Tyne were students from Prior Pursglove College, Guisborough, who won the Best product award for their business Elftopia, which has designed a children’s game to encourage healthy eating and lifestyle.

The companies were judged on their business models on the day by members of the local business community including ONE North East’s Enterprise specialist adviser Angela Craggs, Kristina Henry from the Home Group and Peter Wagstaff at Coutts banking.

Speaking of the event, Catherine Marchant, chief executive of Young Enterprise North East, said: “The Young Enterprise Trade Fair is always a day I always look forward to. It is just lovely to see the students’ businesses come to life and see how their entrepreneurial spirit really does shine when they leave the classroom and sell to the public in a real shopping mall.

“All of the students were great contenders and it was a real achievement for them to make it to the Trade Fair to learn about selling in a real trading world.”

Judge Angela Craggs said: “The Young Enterprise North East Trade Fair was a great day and all of the young people were truly inspirational.”