3 August 2015

YES students learning on the job

Auckland’s future business leaders and entrepreneurs will be continuing their on-the-job education as part of the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) this weekend, demonstrating and selling innovative products and services at the annual Auckland YES Trade Fair.

The trade fair is a free event taking place at the ASB Showgrounds in Greenlane from 10am-4pm on Saturday, 8 August.

YES – which involves students forming teams to come up with a real-life business product or service, and running their business for a year – is delivered across the Auckland region by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED).

Around 100 teams will be demonstrating and selling the goods and services they have created through YES at the trade fair, ranging from recycled furniture and robot making classes to boxed herbal teas and yogurt made from almond milk.

This year, more than 1,400 students from 52 Auckland schools are taking part in YES, forming more than 180 small enterprises. YES students have had mentoring from their teachers and members of Auckland’s business community, and taken part in a Dragon’s Den type pitch event.

Patrick McVeigh, ATEED General Manager Business, Innovation & Skills, says YES is an important initiative to help develop a skilled workforce for Auckland.

“YES offers students a hands-on experience in how to set up a company, create and sell real products and services through events like the annual Trade Fair, and make real profit or loss.

“It develops the sort of innovative and entrepreneurial thinking that will play a vital role in transforming and growing Auckland’s economy,” says Patrick McVeigh.

Auckland regional YES winners will be announced in October, before national winners are announced in December.
Auckland schools have a strong track record in the YES national competition, winning the national title in 2012 and 2013. Last year’s Auckland Central regional champions, Nude Water from St Cuthbert’s School, were runner up for the 2014 national title, while Bizz Broz from Pakuranga College (joint Auckland South champions) came third.

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