24 May 2007

MEDIA RELEASE

YES to Innovation

First Place in the Annual Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) Oral Business Plan Presentation Awards has been presented to Pucci Products from Kingsway School with their innovative Dogbed (photo available) at yesterday’s North Shore Regional Finals at the North Harbour Stadium. The company of Year 12 and 13 students has developed an inner waterproof lining with an attractive washproof polar fleece outer which prevents smells, bean rotting, bacteria and extends the life of the dog’s bed.

The Kingsway Principal, Francine Bennett, is understandably proud of her team: “This is an outstanding achievement from these students who have worked so well together. Of particular significance has been the support of the business mentors who have worked with our teams.”

Technovation from Northcote College has invented a ski carrier with a padded shoulder strap; this dynamic team took First place in the Written Business Plan and Second Place in the Oral presentation of that business plan. (Photo available) Vicki Barrie, Principal of Northcote College notes “Technovation has built itself into a professional team of young adults with excellent communication skills. Northcote College is justifiably proud of the team, especially their ability to commit their ideas to paper and rework to a professional level”.

An all female team from Rangitoto College – Nail-Aid – came third in both written and oral presentations with pre-soaked nail remover pads. (photo available)

Enterprise North Shore hosted the event and Ian Watson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees comments “The high level of professionalism at these awards is impressive and continues to improve every year. These young business people are providing highly innovative products in an adult world and doing so effectively”.

The top business card design was won by Cliché from Long Bay College. Gareth Wheeler from Benefitz who sponsor the competition says “This design was judged top because the card directly reflects the activity of the company”.

Barry Perrow from BDO Spicers, a sponsor for YES, says “It was also great to see a number of relatively new schools to programme doing so well. In particular, Kingsway, Northcote, Westlake Boys & Carmel”.

North Shore Mayor George Wood honoured the YES awards and closed the event. He says “The students did themselves proud with the sheer professionalism of their awards. Seeing my old school - Northcote College - coming second was a real thrill and they can be rightly proud of their achievement. They reflect the benchmark that I hope all North Shore schools will attain”.

Terry Hoskins, CEO of Enterprise North Shore summarised the event well: “YES provides an extraordinary opportunity to learn and all teams – successful or not – learn significantly about working in teams, setting and achieving goals and the very real opportunities and challenges faced in business”.

Background:
There are 43 YES Companies across 14 secondary schools participating in YES in the North Shore Region.

Students participating in YES form a legal company, open a bank account and prepare a Business Plan. The plan is presented orally and judged in a Nationwide competition. Training was provided to the students on what’s expected by Russel Harray, AUT Academic Group Leader for Marketing and Advertising.

In the North Shore Region Enterprise North Shore holds a preliminary round to identify the “top ten” companies, and the following teams progressed into the Finals which were held yesterday 23rd May 2007:

• Micro Charge from Rangitoto College
• Reall_Set from Kingsway School
• Voo Zio from Rangitoto College
• Safe Smart from Long Bay College
• Youth Job Search from Rangitoto Collete
• Pucci Products from Kingsway School
• Nail Aid from Rangitoto College
• Novulus from Westlake Boys High School
• Technovation from Northcote College
• Work in Progress from Carmel College

About Enterprise North Shore Trust:
Enterprise North Shore was established by North Shore City Council as North Shore City’s economic development agency, in 1993. Enterprise North Shore serves as North Shore City's primary engine for sustainable economic development, and supports the development of local and regional strategies for the creation of a vibrant and buoyant economy.

Ends

© Scoop Media