A generation of young entrepreneurs is rising in Manurewa.
On behalf of the Young Enterprise Trust, Auckland’s Chamber of Commerce delivers the Young Enterprise Scheme in the city.
It’s a scheme Manurewa youngsters have been keen to get involved in, with 50 students from Manurewa High School and 18 from Alfriston College attending an introductory ‘kick start’ day.
Manurewa Local Board chair Joseph Allan says encouraging young people to take up opportunities to gain extra skills and experiences is a priority for the board, which also offers a range of Rangatahi Youth Scholarships that help fund tertiary, trades and wider skills training.
“We provided sponsorship for the Kick Start day in this area with all South Auckland schools invited to participate.
“It was very encouraging to see so many students from Manurewa and Alfristion taking part and going on to engage further in the Young Enterprise Scheme.
“We all know it’s a changing and highly digital world nowadays, and it’s clear these young people are keen to grab opportunities that might help them shape a future many of us would never have dreamed of being able to access.”
As the result of the high interest from both schools, 19 students formed five teams from Alfriston College and 70 Manurewa High School students made up 15 teams to take part in the scheme.
Board deputy chair Melissa Moore says the numbers were already strong, but some young people clearly went back to their schools and spread the message, opening the opportunities the scheme offers up to their peers.
“This year-long programme for year 12 and 13 students sees them develop creative ideas into actual businesses, complete with real products and services, and real profit and loss too. It’s a very real introduction to business.”
Under the programme, students learn key work, life and business skills, including planning, interpersonal relationships, financial factors, decision-making, reporting, risk management and teamwork.
“As a board, we are committed to providing opportunities for our young people and the young Enterprise Scheme not only creates a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, but the skills learned are transferable into their communities and families,” Moore says.
“The scheme helps them become ready for opportunities that might present themselves in the future and provides them with the skills to become our next generation of leaders.”
