Business NZ take over school enterprise programme

19 June 2006

Enterprise NZ Trust, Business NZ take over school enterprise programme

Lion Nathan New Zealand today announced that it is handing over its long-running school-based Business Experience programme to the Enterprise New Zealand Trust.

Under an agreement that will see Business NZ becoming its major sponsor, the Lion Nathan Business Experience programme is set to become the Student Enterprise Learning Link, to be owned and run by the Enterprise New Zealand Trust.

“We have been running the programme for over ten years in secondary schools,” said Liz Read, Corporate Affairs Director for Lion Nathan. “However we now want to direct our community investment towards activities more closely aligned with our core business.”

“But we firmly believe in the benefits the programme brings to hundreds of senior secondary students every year, so have been committed to finding new ownership and funding to ensure its continuation.”

Ms Read said Lion Nathan is delighted the Enterprise New Zealand Trust has agreed to take over the programme with the financial support of Business NZ.

“In terms of the long-term future of the programme and its potential expansion into more secondary schools, we couldn’t have asked for a better outcome,” said Ms Read.

Enterprise New Zealand Trust Chief Executive, Donna Dentice, said that her organisation was very pleased to be able to add this specialist business planning programme to its stable of products.

“Enterprise New Zealand Trust is the peak industry body delivering enterprise programmes into New Zealand schools. More than 35,000 young people are engaged in our programmes annually”, Mrs Dentice said.

“Student Enterprise Learning Link sits very well alongside our other secondary school enterprise programmes, Enterprise Studies and the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme”.

“Enterprise New Zealand Trust is delighted to have Business NZ as the new sponsor for the programme. The Trust will be working closely with Business NZ and its regional members, to deliver a programme that will make a real difference to the future aspirations of young New Zealanders and, therefore, to the economic prosperity of the country.”

Business NZ Chief Executive Phil O’Reilly said it was important that young people learned about business while still at school.

“Secondary school students need to be exposed to commercial thinking to help grow entrepreneurial attitudes and habits. New Zealand’s future growth prospects depend on a new generation with commercial skills and self-belief.

“Student Enterprise Learning Link is an excellent initiative to help promote and nurture commercial skills among young New Zealanders.

“The Business NZ family - including major regional organisations EMA Northern, EMA Central, the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and the Otago-Southland Employers’ Association, who will be overseeing the programme in the regions - is proud to be helping young people achieve skills for their future,” Mr O’Reilly said.

ENDS

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