A student enterprise programme for Transition Year students in Gaeltacht areas was launched on Friday morning at Coláiste Cholmcille in Connemara.
Clár na gComhlachtaí, provided by Údarás na Gaeltachta in partnership with Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI), encourages budding entrepreneurs in TY to develop their own mini-enterprises and compete in a national final.
It is a hands-on business learning experience and is taught through the Irish language to students attending schools in Gaeltacht regions.
Speaking at the launch this morning, Minister for State for Sport and the Gaeltacht Jack Chambers said that Clár na gComhlachtaí is a wonderful programme which allows second-level pupils in the Gaeltacht to get a flavour of the life of an entrepreneur.
He said that they get the opportunity to learn the basic principles of enterprise in an way that is both enjoyable and challenging.
“These young people gain an understanding of the enormous difference between the classroom and the real work environment; they also gain an insight into the link between what they learn in that classroom and the skills which are needed to develop a business idea agus bring a new project to fruition.
“We hope that the programme will teach them skills which will enable them to stay in Gaeltacht areas or return to the Gaeltacht in the future.”
This was also the first public event attended by the newly-appointed chairperson of Údarás na Gaeltachta, Tomás Ó Síocháin.
“Our participation in Clár na gComhlachtaí brings together many of the most important strands of the work of Údarás na Gaeltachta: promoting entrepreneurship, supporting young people, and fostering a pride in the Irish language,” said Tomás Ó Síocháin.
“It gives me great pleasure that it is here, among the young people of the Gaeltacht, that I begin my term as CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta.”
