Brainstorming session for Young Enterprise Scheme

A Lytton High team go through the initial Young Enterprise Scheme stage of brainstorming various ideas and trying to come up with something they can market. From left are: Ben Greaves, Turoto Ngatoko-Biddle, coach and mentor Wayne Panapa (chief financial officer at Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou), Nikkita Edwards and Paige Tihore-Paki. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme for 2018 started with a three-hour workshop for teachers, students and coaches at Gisborne’s Cosmopolitan Club.

Lytton High School, Campion College and Gisborne Girls’and Boys’ high schools were represented.

“It was a great turnout and a successful start to the programme with a positive response,” said YES regional co-ordinator Lena Bevan, from Gisborne Chamber of Commerce.

The workshop was a chance for teams to initiate their ideas and make connections with coaches.

Colin Kennedy, the head of Wellington-based YES HQ, ran the event titled Kickstart I Timata.

Gisborne was about his 20th Timata event throughout the country. From here, he was heading to Hawke’s Bay and on to Nelson.

Good opportunity for studentsThe Gisborne workshop was an opportunity for students to be fully informed about what is involved in the YES programme.

Key people were introduced including Lena Bevan and the roaming teacher for Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay — Colette Mintoft.

It was also a chance for students to engage with business people and for teams to get feedback on their business ideas.

Teams would now work on gathering background information around products/service, undertaking market research and connecting with a mentor, said Ms Bevan.

“I will visit schools individually over the next two weeks to go over the events calendar and task deadlines in greater depth,” Ms Bevan said.

“I want to thank our sponsor, Activate Tairawhiti, who have opened the start-up weekend (SW Tairawhiti) to all YES teams.”

“This is a fantastic opportunity for them to further develop knowledge around business start-up, and connect with the wider business community and other like-minded people.”

“I also want to thank all the coaches who brought a vast array of knowledge and experience to the workshop,” said Ms Bevan.

Gisborne Chamber of Commerce was happy to have such a high calibre of talent helping this year’s YES teams, she said.