Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) in Trinity Comprehensive School

Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), Ireland is an international non profit organisation with almost twenty years experience of teaching entrepreneurship skills to young people.

Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) in Trinity Comprehensive School

Enterprising Ballymun was an initiative that facilitated the implementation of a NFTE pilot within Ballymun. Developed for secondary schools, the initiative provided students with the opportunity to shape and enhance their own entrepreneurial skills through the medium of enterprise.

The Economic Development and Education Section of the Ballymun Whitehall Area Partnership worked with NFTE, tailoring a pilot programme that met the enterprise and personal development needs of Trinity Comprehensive students. The programme was then adopted by the Transition Year Coordinator, Helen Mc Cormack. The Ballymun Whitehall Area Partnership funded the enterprise programme and training of one business studies teacher, John Platt. John attended an intensive four day training programme which worked through all aspects of the curriculum with the teacher/trainer and enabled him to deliver the programme in the school.

As well as fostering entrepreneurial confidence, the 40 week programme covered topics such as sales, marketing, research, corporate social responsibility and the legal aspects of running a business. Students benefit in subjects such as Maths, English and IT. Most importantly, the NFTE Programme encouraged young people to practice their decision making skills, team work and communication skills.

In total, and with help from their teacher, Transition Year students set up and ran seven successful business ventures:

Each business received a small grant to start their business which gave that initial and necessary cash injection to produce a product or service. Students engaged with successful, established entrepreneurs in both a business and social context and researched community leaders and successful businesses both locally and nationally. They also had access to the expertise of corporate mentors from leading companies such as Bank of Ireland, the Dublin Airport Authority, McCann Fitzgerald, RBS Aviation Capital and Grant Thornton amongst others.

Wayne Plunkett and Stephania Sabolova were responsible for Personalised Christmas Decorations. Theses students personalised Christmas baubles that met with clients specifications. In total this company, made a net profit of 262.40. Both students agreed that they had gained confidence through the NFTE experience.

Tara OBrien, Vanessa Deegan and Karl Graham came up with the innovative idea of Trinitys Got Talent. This group organised a talent show for all the students in Trinity Comprehensive School. This group made a net profit of 495. This business venture made it to the finals of the NFTE awards and the students described it as a surreal experience. When interviewed about the company, the students both agreed it had been an excellent experience and was a great eye-opener into the world of business.

Trinitys Cup Challenge was organised by Dylan Mooney, Shane OKeeffe and Daryl Creedy. Having contacted local schools, these three entrepreneurs organised a football competition. Overall, they made a net profit of 226 and said that while it was challenging, it was good to be challenged.

Karen OConnor and Amy Poole created and sold a CD for their entrepreneurial venture Explicit. The students made a net profit of €420.30. These students said they just loved being part of NFTE, and it appears that local people still love those CDs!

Loovely Lollies was set up and run by Laura McDonnell and Sinead Rowan. These students took orders from others students, pinned names on lollipops and anonymously sent them to students for Valentines Day. They made a net profit of 84.36 and said that being part of NFTE has increased their confidence and the experience was so enjoyable.

Michaela Friel and Kayleigh Maguire organised a Cake Sale. The students cleverly used the Tuck Shop Project to advertise and run their cake sale. In total, the students made a net profit of €132.85 and both students said it was a worthwhile project.

Trinity Tuck Shop was set up by Rebeccah Edwards, Danielle Smyth and Amber Lo. The girls made a net profit of €268.60 and said the experience was a real buzz.

As stated, one business venture, Trinitys Got Talent, made it to the NFTE National Finals which took place in The Helix on Thursday 29th April, 2010. The atmosphere was electric as students from all over Ireland presented their business plan. Transition Year students from Trinity Comprehensive School were excellent representatives for the local area. While they did not receive the overall award, the three students involved in this venture were presented with an award on stage and it was a momentous occasion for all involved. As one student put it, It made me proud to be part of NFTE and proud to be part of Ballymun.