O'Donovans share their advice with transition year students

SKIBBEREEN’S Olympic heroes sent a special message to transition year students when the young people gathered for a meeting in Rosscarbery this week.

The Student Enterprise Conference for 400 transition year pupils from schools throughout West Cork was hosted by the Local Enterprise Office in The Celtic Ross Hotel. 

The Steps to Success conference was held for students undertaking the West Cork Schools Enterprise Programme which sees them set up and run their own mini enterprises.

 Students were welcomed by Kevin Curran, head of enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Cork North and West and addressed by a diverse line-up of speakers.

The students were sent a special message by West Cork heroes the O’Donovan brothers who imparted the advice they would give their 16 year-old selves. 

The one-minute video clip was met with cheers from students, with Gary and Paul encouraging them to have absolute belief and confidence in themselves to achieve whatever they want and to enjoy their school days as they get to hang out with their friends every day.

The Student Enterprise programme has been in existence since 2004 with schools from West Cork gaining national recognition for their projects in the past. 

Throughout the programme, students are exposed to all the realities and challenges faced by entrepreneurs in every stage of business development from market research and production to sales and marketing.

Each of the ten West Cork schools will compete with their mini enterprises in the regional finals next February where one team will be chosen to represent West Cork and their school at the  National Finals in Croke Park.