Hunt on for young problem solvers
Priority One is calling Western Bay of Plenty’s young, bright minds to attend the virtual launch of the 2022 Young Innovator Awards today.
Students, parents, teachers and local businesses are encouraged to attend the online event to hear about what’s involved in the programme and how they can benefit from taking part — either as a student entry or as a business looking to get involved with the programme.
Coveted as one of the highlights on the school calendar, the awards offers local students from Years 7 to 13 the hands-on chance to develop an innovative product or service that solves real-world problems.
Top entries win internships with local businesses, giving students the chance to gain valuable workplace experience and engagement, and insights to take their innovations to the next level.
This year, Priority One is aiming to recognise as many entries as possible by increasing the number of opportunities for workplace experience and is looking for more businesses to come on board.
“No matter how big or small your business is, the benefits of participating in the yia! programme are two-fold,” says Priority One’s instep manager, Andy Howell.
“Businesses are using yia! as a talent attraction tool when recruiting from outside the region. It’s appealing to parents with schoolaged children who could benefit from the exposure to design thinking and innovation,” he says.
“Being involved as a business also provides team members with valuable experience — exposing them to young minds keeps the creative juices flowing — and that’s what it’s all about.”
Aquinas College yia! teacher Jenny Livingstone is a big fan of the programme, saying it has been lifechanging for some of her students.
“Our students have begun to see themselves as genuine innovators and have realised that their ideas are not just another school project, but good enough to develop into a saleable product,” says Jenny.
“Also, many had not realised there are so many great career opportunities with innovative companies in the Western Bay, like Robotics Plus and Ram 3D — right on their doorstep.”
Registrations for the awards open immediately after the launch. The submission deadline is July 1, with judging and shortlisting following. The award night is on September 1.