Innovative ideas hatched on Albany campus

A joint chopstick-spoon and a disco and light show service for party-loving teenagers were among the business ideas suggested by secondary school pupils at the launch of the Young Enterprise Scheme this week.

More than 360 from the Auckland region took part in "E-day" hosted at the Albany campus. The young entrepreneurs work in competing teams, advised by industry professionals and academic specialists from the School of Engineering and Advanced Technology as they develop their business ideas.

Tom Robertson, a senior lecturer in packaging technology, spoke about the importance of the correct package design. “Many of the participants will be creating consumer products and they have to think about how they deliver them and make them stand out on the supermarket shelves,” Mr Robertson says. “They might come up with a fantastic idea, but leave packaging until the last minute to design. Packaging is actually part of the product and key to its success.”

Young Enterprise is a nationwide scheme that teaches secondary school students the principles of commerce by establishing and running a business within the school curriculum.

Terry Hoskins, chief executive of Enterprise North Shore, which hosts the scheme in the Auckland region, says innovation is a part of a growing economy. "We love to be involved with the Young Enterprise Scheme, as it encourages this element in the next generation of entrepreneurs. Judging by the quality of the business ideas, the future of the North Shore looks extremely secure.”

On March 29, the participants will move to "D-day", where company product prototypes are developed. The competition continues until October when regional winners will be announced.

Participating schools are Diocesan School for Girls, Long Bay College, Orewa College, Westlake Girls' High School, Takapuna Grammar School, Whangaparaoa College, Northcote College, Rangitoto College, Westlake Boys' High School, Kingsway School and Pinehurst School.??