11 February 2000

SIR REG EMPEY LAUNCHES YOUNG ENTERPRISE REVIEW

"School and college should be where young people develop entrepreneurial skills and learn what it takes to start up a small business," Sir Reg Empey, MLA, Minister for Enterprise Trade and Investment said today.

He was speaking during a visit to launch Young Enterprise Northern Ireland's (YENI) Annual Review for 1999. Based in West Belfast, YENI is a voluntary enterprise training organisation that aims to increase young people's awareness of the world of work and business.

"We need to make business a powerful draw for our brightest and best and Young Enterprise's role in encouraging more young people to go into business is crucial to building that enterprise culture. Its aim is to reach 18,000 young achievers through all levels of education in Northern Ireland and finds ways of releasing their aptitude and talent for business."

Sir Reg also acknowledged that much of YENI's success was due to the support it receives from private and public sector involvement and its 1200 business advisers. The contribution of the private sector has been estimated to equate to over £1 million a year through the provision of their skills and expertise.

He added: "I understand that as part of its contribution to the partnership, the European Social Fund contributed £220,000 towards this project and LEDU

£175,000. I am particularly encouraged to learn of YENI's movement towards the higher education sector and the whole area of e-commerce."

During his visit, the Minister met a number of young people from local schools who had formed their own businesses and taken part in enterprise awareness events.

 

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Young Enterprise UK was formed in 1963 to run business programmes in schools as a means of raising enterprise awareness in young people. Young Enterprise Northern Ireland (YENI) operated as part of the UK operation from 1987 and from 1997 as an independent company and is part of the international Junior Achievers organisation.

Further information can be obtained from Shauna Magill, LEDU Corporate Marketing, Tel: 028 9049 1031.