Students take their products to trade fair

Terry Shubkin

Tauranga Year 12 and 13 students in 14 teams will display customised products created during their business studies this Sunday at a special trade fair at Bayfair Shopping Centre.

The Tauranga Chamber of Commerce holds the contract to run the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme in the Bay of Plenty/Tauranga.

Eastern Bay of Plenty teams will take part in the Beacon Business and Leisure show in Whakatane on the following weekend, while Rotorua/Taupo held its student event last month.

During the year, the students form a company, decide on a product or service to sell, go to market, pay tax and then wind up their businesses, says Tauranga organiser Emma Harvey.

Their work allows the students to earn NCEA credits and they will also compete at a regional and then national level.

"This time of year is an exciting one as all the students are well progressed in their business and actively selling their products," said Terry Shubkin, chief executive of the Young Enterprise Trust. "The trade fairs are a great experience for the students, allowing them to showcase their work to date and, more importantly, to make some sales. It's an authentic experience for the teams as they learn how to present themselves, market their product and try to close the sale."

The 14 Tauranga teams include seven from Aquinas College, two from Papamoa College, two from Otumoetai College, one from Mount Maunganui College, Katikati College and Tauranga Girls' College.