The race is on to come up with the next ‘big idea’, and over 100 Western Bay secondary school students have already signed up to prove their entrepreneurial skills.
The region’s inaugural Young Innovator Awards (YiA) 2010 are being run by economic development agency Priority One, and organisers are blown away by the large number of teenagers who have entered the competition since it was announced last month.
The awards are part of Priority One’s INSTEP programme and recognise secondary school students’ ability to problem-solve so businesses can become more efficient and sustainable in the future.
Priority One’s INSTEP manager, Lyn Parlane, says the competition was not necessarily about creating something new, but was often as simple as looking at how something could be improved to be more efficient and sustainable.
“Once upon a time kids used to love playing board games but now electronic games are hugely popular. And in the past people consulted maps when they needed directions whereas nowadays they use Navman.”
“Inventing new products and services, or modifying old ones through innovative ideas, is the way of the future, and those are the skills we are trying to foster.”
Local businesses that are supporting YiA 2010 will also benefit, as the competition aims to help develop traits they are seeking in future employees.
Students can compete in teams or as individuals for a $1000 cash prize and the chance to be mentored by a local businessperson.
Junior (Year 9 and 10) and Senior (Years 11, 12 and 13) categories have received an equal number of entries so far, with many schools reporting students want to enter more than one idea. However students can only enter once as an individual and again as part of a team. One school has over 35 entries alone.
“We are thrilled with the level of interest so far,” Ms Parlane says. “This is the first time YiA has been held and it’s very heartening to know we have so many keen, talented and innovative teenagers just waiting to show us what they’re made of.”
Students will be judged on five key criteria: creativity, innovation, communication, research and sustainability.
Twitter and Facebook accounts have been opened so the public can follow students’ progress, and information about how to enter can be found at www.yia.co.nz. Entries close on Wednesday 30 June, the last week of term two, and the winners will be announced at the launch of this year’s Western Bay @ Work month on 19 July.
About the INSTEP Programme
INSTEP is a Priority One initiative which exposes local secondary school students, their teachers, parents and principals to examples of successful business practice within the Western Bay of Plenty sub-region. Its aim is to ensure students become motivated and inspired to achieve their entrepreneurial goals through seeing relevance in what they learn at school, and expanding their options before leaving school.
