Glasgow Airport lures Renfrewshire schools into the Dragons’ Den
14 January 2013
Budding entrepreneurs across Renfrewshire are being invited to come up with business ideas designed to dazzle the dragons.
Renfrewshire Council’s Schools Dragons’ Den Programme is supported by the Glasgow Airport FlightPath Fund and is now in its third year.
Youngsters at nursery, primary school and secondary school are being invited to take part following a launch event at Reid Kerr College in Paisley.
Pupils from Our Lady of Peace Primary School, who won the inaugural competition in 2010, made a presentation at the launch event along with 2012 winners, Gallowhill Primary School.
Under the programme pupils develop a social enterprise business model which is designed to give something back to the community as well as making money. Pupils come up with a proposal, develop a business plan, apply for funding and then run their business.
The Glasgow Airport FlightPath Fund is providing half of the total £3,000 in funding which is available, with winners receiving a maximum of £500 start up money for their business proposition.
John McConnell, Glasgow Airport’s Head of Commercial, will sit on the panel of dragons for the second time. He said: “As a business which operates in a very competitive environment, Glasgow Airport is always looking for innovative new ideas and ways to improve efficiency. Staff are encouraged to come up with entrepreneurial ideas and these are often taken on board.
“As a result, we are only too happy to support the Schools’ Dragons’ Den Programme again and help the next generation of entrepreneurs on their way. It is great to see these children developing the skills to set up and run a business at such a young age.”
Councillor Jacqueline Henry, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Education Policy Board, said: “The Schools’ Dragons’ Den Programme is an exciting way to get children involved in business. It gives young people a real role to play in turning their own ideas into a viable product or service. Over the past two years children have really engaged with the programme and have set up a number of profit making concerns.
“The Schools’ Dragons’ Den Programme is about education in its truest sense. It stimulates the children’s natural interest to learn and develop. It helps them to build their confidence and develop valuable skills such as team building and problem solving.”
