THE Northern Ireland economy has a skills crisis. And we need skilled young people as our future workforce to grow that economy.
So to address this crisis, the Institute of Directors members and its member companies are working with youth charity Young Enterprise NI to support the next generation of business owners and leaders.
The charity gives young people the opportunity to set up and run their own business at school to gain an insight into business start-up and gain employability skills businesses need them to have.
IoD member Gavin Annon has volunteered with Lagan College over the last year as it business mentor and explains why he gets involved.
He said: “I am a firm believer in paying it forward in life. When the opportunity arose to volunteer as a mentor with Young Enterprise NI, I grabbed it with both hands.
“I had the pleasure of working with five amazing students from Lagan College who created an incredible concept called 'The Little Guys' to help young people manage their emotions. I would highly recommend the mentoring program with YENI. It was inspiring to see the students develop over the term and help steer them to success.”
Young Enterprise has recently had its public funding removed due to the Stormont budget reduction, meaning that the support of business is even more important to them to deliver their work.
Carol Fitzsimons MBE, chief executive of Young Enterprise and an IoD member, said: “Young Enterprise values the support IoD members give the charity through our YE Business Backer campaign.
“These businesses are demonstrating their support for the young people of Northern Ireland, and making it clear that they skills they develop through our programmes are valued by them as employers.
“The recent removal of public funding for the charity means that 47,000 young people from areas of greatest social disadvantage will miss out of Young Enterprise in the year ahead. The only way to avoid this is for business to get behind the charity and directly support the skills development of their future workforce.
“YE Business Backers are individuals and businesses who believe in our mission to develop the entrepreneurial skills of young people.
“Young people are our future workforce and the business start ups of tomorrow. We are grateful to IoD members that have become Business Backers and are investing in young people to build a prosperous future for Northern Ireland.”
IoD will be supporting Young Enterprise Northern Ireland via a charity prize draw at its 2023 annual dinner on Thursday September 28.
If you would like more information on becoming a YE Business Backer, contact Jan Donaldson on 028 90267103 or e-mail jan.donaldson@yeni.co.uk
Gordon Milligan OBE is chair of IoD Northern Ireland
