Minister launches national Student Enterprise Programme in Wicklow
MINISTER of State Pat Breen launched the 2018 Student Enterprise Programme during a visit to Coláiste Chill Mhantáin last week.
During his visit, Minister Breen – who is Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection – met with student Cillian Scott, whose ‘Scott Engine Tables’ wowed the judges last year and saw the National Student Enterprise Award in the Intermediate category return to Rathnew. Talented Cillian converts car engines into attractive coffee tables and has appeared on the Late Late Show.
The Minister was also impressed as students James Byrne, Jack Kennedy and Rian Byrne presented their business ideas.
‘Since the Student Enterprise Programme began in 2003, more than 150,000 students have benefited and we want to keep nurturing Ireland’s future entrepreneurs and business leaders in the years to come,’ said Minister Breen at the launch, which was also attended by Frank Curran, the new Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council.
‘Entrepreneurship is the backbone of the Irish economy and initiatives such as the Student Enterprise Programme are key to fostering a more enterprising culture.
‘I would encourage principals and teachers to get in touch with their Local Enterprise Office, to find out how they can get involved in the next Student Enterprise Programme,’ added Minister Breen.
Over 22,000 students from 620 Irish schools participate in the programme each year.