Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce chief executive Alison Henderson praised the energy and ideas produced by pupils in the George Donald Fund Secondary School’s Enterprise Challenge.
Held in the Michelin Athletic Club in Dundee, the event commemorates Captain George R Donald MBE, a long-serving solicitor and chamber secretary who was passionate about the education and training of young people for careers in industry and the professions.
It was organised by the fund trustees along with Dundee City Council education department, the chamber of commerce, Abertay University’s Dundee Business School and community interest company Along Came Kirsty.
Teams of pupils tackled a live business challenge, set by Abertay business school, in a competitive environment against tight deadlines.
Each school was sponsored by a chamber business who gave practical advice and support.
The task in the second year of the challenge was to create a new business idea to meet the needs of future Dundee and Angus growth.
Judges included Alison Henderson, Ian Collins, area director at Bank of Scotland, and Dr Masoumeh Velayati, assistant professor in gender and development at Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education.
They chose an ambitious airport expansion plan by Dundee’s Braeview Academy, whose business sponsor was Key Talent Partners, as the overall winner.
The pupil’s choice award went to Carnoustie High, sponsored by Carnoustie Golf Hotel, for their new enterprise which introduced shuttle bus tours around the Dundee and Angus area.
Mrs Henderson said: “The highlight was seeing the teamwork of the schools and the companies. The energy and the ideas coming from the pupils was truly amazing.
She added: “We’ve had a tremendous response from chamber members and local companies willing to share their knowledge and expertise while working with the school teams.
“Helping to develop the workforce of the future is vital for the economy and we feel sure that longer term relationships between the participating schools and businesses will result.”
