Dromore High success a cause for celebration

The charity supported the local students through its business start-up programme this year ahead of Northern Ireland’s naming next month as European Entrepreneurial Region for 2015/16.

Invest Northern Ireland supported the Celebrate Success 2015 event, where 650 young entrepreneurs crammed into Titanic Belfast to be honoured.

Sophie Fletcher, a student at Dromore High School was named Entrepreneur of the Future for her efforts throughout the programme and joined a group of six young people who show the greatest potential to have a successful future career as an entrepreneur.

Speaking at the event, Education Minister John O’Dowd praised the achievements of the young entrepreneurs in developing skills that will benefit them in life and work.

He said: “Young people of today are the leaders and innovators of tomorrow and we need to equip them with the right skills and knowledge for them to succeed in life and work.

“In order to build a vibrant economy, we need to ensure that young people are encouraged not just to follow traditional paths but those that may lead to exciting new career paths, such as starting a new business.

“As the leading business and education charity in the north, my Department supports Young Enterprise to deliver a suite of programmes to primary and post-primary schools.

“These programmes are instrumental in helping pupils develop the skills and entrepreneurial vision that can help build a vibrant economy.

“I congratulate Young Enterprise, the students and the teachers and in particular the business volunteers, without whom the programmes would not be possible.”