Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council and entrepreneurship charity Young Enterprise are bringing a six-month programme of skills development workshops to 2,200 young people.

The partnership will see Young Enterprise bringing its signature entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy programmes into primary and post-primary schools with the support of the Council.

The series of four programmes and events delivered across the 2022-23 academic year will start with the Learn to Earn programme, which gives 13-14 year old students the tools they need to make informed early stage career choices ahead of their GCSE subject selections.

The You’re Hired programme takes that a step further for 15-17 year olds, giving them experience and insight into the recruitment process as they look ahead to their first steps into employment.

A Digital Masterclass will encourage young people to explore entrepreneurship ideas and opportunities within the growing technology sector in Northern Ireland, while a Global Entrepreneurship Week event in November will see 200 primary school pupils develop creative business ideas with a worldwide reach.

Young Enterprise Chief Executive, Carol Fitzsimons, commented:

“This series will help us to reach young people in Lisburn and Castlereagh City with the skills and inspiration they will need at the right time.  In an uncertain economic future, it is important that young people make informed career and lifestyle decisions that will set them up for a successful future.

“The support from the Council is testament to its desire to invest in the future of local young people and will go some way to creating an entrepreneurial next generation across the city.”

Chair of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s Development Committee, Alderman Allan Ewart MBE, said: 

“We want to inspire the next generation of business owners across our council area by introducing them to the concept of entrepreneurship at an early age. This fantastic initiative by Young Enterprise will allow young people the opportunity to develop their understanding of the world of business, and time to build up the necessary skills required to become business leaders of the future. ”

For more information on any of these programmes, or to get involved please contact ruth.davidson@yeni.co.uk.