‍

  The scheme is for pupils in years 12 and 13 and gives them the chance to set up and run their own business for a year.

  YES students will set up their company, create real products or services, compile and implement a business plan and make real profit or loss.

  Otago regional co›ordinator Paul Allen said nine high schools were involved, three more than last year, and more than 120 pupils attended E›Day.

  ‘‘E›Day is very much the start of the brainstorming phase. It’s the first time they really get together and find out what is involved in young enterprise for the year.’’

  There were members of the business community present to speak to the YES teams and offer advice.

  ‘‘We’ve got King’s and Otago Boys’ on board this year so there is a good mixture of students, as opposed to being mostly females in other years,’’ he said.

  ‘‘There’s going to be good competition this year and a good number of teams. Atthis stage there is approximately 23 teams but that can change during the year.’’

  The first term was about forming a company, allocating roles, solidifying the business idea and starting to write plans.

  ‘‘For some it’s a matter of starting to work on a prototype for the product as well.

  ‘‘The students get a lot of confidence from the programme — everything is first›hand. Pretty much everything a new business would have to do, the pupils have to do. They’ll come out of it with a really good, practical idea of how a business works.’’

Credit to David Beck at The Star