The Innovision Young Enterprise team made it to the south-east regional finals. (Picture supplied, 0599824)
A team of Guernsey students has taken part in the Young Enterprise finals for the south-east region.
Innovision was named best company at the Guernsey finals at the end of April and went on to beat a team from Jersey to become the Channel Islands representative in the south-east. The students battled it out against seven other regional winners, thanks to a donation from KPMG.
The students, who made bags out of old curtains and clothing and organised a fashion show of charity-shop clothes, had to put together a display about their company and do a presentation about what they had learned from the experience, including the problems they had encountered and where they felt things had gone particularly well.
The team won six awards at the Guernsey final, including best use of marketing, best managing director, best administered company, most innovative product and best written report.
Although Innovision gave a creditable performance at the 18 June finals, the level of competition proved too great and the company was unable to secure any of the major awards.
But local Young Enterprise organisers say the group is already winner in its own right and can be justly proud of reaching the regional finals.
‘They’re a fantastic group of young people, who have worked so hard to make their company a success,’ said Young Enterprise Guernsey chairman David Packman.
‘It’s important to remember that the eight companies at the southeast finals have been chosen from 400 companies made up of 5,000 students and so just getting this far is an enormous achievement and they should be extremely proud of themselves.’
Mr Packman went on to say that the presentation team had been excellent ambassadors for both Innovision and the island and expressed how proud and pleased the area board had been with its performances, not only on the day of the final, but throughout the eight-month session.
‘The standard of performance throughout the day was of the highest standard and as strong as I have seen during the last seven years at south-east region finals day. The whole team have benefited from the Young Enterprise experience, which will stand them in good stead for the future,’ he said.
Once again KPMG Channel Islands funded the full cost of sending some of the team to the UK, including flights, accommodation and food, which Mr Packman said was extremely generous.
‘We have a long-standing relationship with KPMG and it wouldn’t be possible to represent the Channel Islands without their fantastic support,’ he said.
Mark Thompson, managing director of KPMG Channel Islands, said the company was delighted to be able to help.
‘Young Enterprise is an extremely worthwhile initiative and gives youngsters the chance to establish a business, run it and then wind it down. They will learn skills that will serve them extremely well as they continue their education and start their careers. Just to get through to the regional final is a stunning achievement,’ he said.
‘Volunteers from KPMG also help as advisers to the teams during the sessions and I know they find it a very rewarding and enjoyable experience as well helping them in their own personal development goals.’
l Anyone wanting to get involved should contact davidp@cwgsy.net.
Article posted on 2nd July, 2008 - 4.00pm
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