A PILOT programme for Young Enterprise NI has been developed by chartered marketer, mentor and trainer Christine Watson to inspire and train young people in marketing skills.
Through a series of online classes alongside signposts to dozens of free quality online courses as well as community driven peer networking, the innovative 'flipped classroom' style programme will showcase the range of marketing opportunities available to young people at this time.
With a core aim of inspiring the next generation of marketers to commit to learning throughout their life, the pilot will allow up to 20 young people from across Northern Ireland to access the mentoring support of an experienced and qualified marketing professional.
The programme will showcase the wide and varied range of employment opportunities for those interested in a career in marketing, including paid full and part time roles as well as freelance self-employment work as general marketing practitioners or specialised digital and social media marketers.
The programme is also anticipated to provide much needed marketing skills to alumni who have an ambition to run their own independent businesses.
Christine Watson, founder of TrainingMatchmaker.com, who will facilitate and deliver the project for Young Enterprise NI, said: "This pilot is the product of a quick lockdown discussion about the career jungle gym that we are all living through, and we hope to inspire and motivate young people into the world of marketing."
YENI chief executive Carol Fitzsimons added: "We are delighted to be working with Christine to provide this opportunity to students that have completed our Company programme.
"Through their Young Enterprise experience, many young people gain an interest in marketing, and this will allow them to continue this learning journey to gain skills and accreditation that are valued by the industry."
Graeme Wilkinson, director of skills for the Department for the Economy, said, “The Covid pandemic has hit young people particularly hard, with jobs, education and training all being affected, and as we begin to rebuild the economy, a key factor will be the need to help young people re-connect with the workplace and developing relevant skills is central to that.
"We very much welcome the Young Enterprise pilot programme, as it offers a range of skills to help aspiring marketers reach their career goals, whether as an employee, or by running their own business. This sector is increasingly reliant on digital tools and this programme will equip students to make the most of the technology available to them .”
Expressions of interest are now open and interested alumni of Young Enterprise NI can apply at https://forms.gle/A5RVuxhKuSAKWBaYA
