Total Produce Inspire Future Entrepreneurs at Réalt na Mara National School

Mrs Crory and her 4th class from Réalt na Mara National School, Dundalk, Ireland recently took part in the Total Produce/Junior Achievement Ireland Junior Dragon Den workshop.

Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI) is an initiative whereby professionals from successful Irish businesses are brought into local schools to teach basic skills to students and act as role models for the next generation of budding entrepreneurs. The programme encourages young people to remain in education and helps them develop the skills they need to succeed in a changing world. JAI is part of a worldwide organisation bringing entrepreneurship education to over 10 million young people each year. It was established in Ireland in 1996 and since then has built up a strong demand from schools throughout the country.

Part of a wider national partnership between Total Produce and Junior Achievers, the Dundalk workshop saw the students embark on an early stage entrepreneurship journey. They were mentored by five business volunteers from Total Produce, Vincent Dolan (Marketing), Miriam Williams and Una McCoy (HR) , Claire Roddy (Finance) and Shane O’Reilly (I.T.) The workshop culminated in the students pitching their business ideas.

The Total Produce/Junior Achievement Ireland Junior Dragon Den workshop is designed to encourage ‘early-stage entrepreneurship’ with national school students.

Vincent Dolan of Total Produce said “Everyone from Total Produce thoroughly enjoyed the workshop; the energy and enthusiasm of the children was infectious while the creativity they brought to developing their new product ideas was genuinely inspiring.”

Mrs Crory, Réalt na Mara National School said “A huge thank you from myself and the class to the mentors from Total Produce. The children thoroughly enjoyed workshop, they learned so much from it, it was a fantastic experience for them”

Patricia Friel, JAI said: “We are delighted to partner with Total Produce and Réalt na Mara National School. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn the basics of entrepreneurship and develop their own business ideas with the support of business mentor from their local community.”

“The Total Produce mentors have shared their own real life experiences with the students and inspired and motivated them to become future entrepreneurs in the making. It was a wonderful opportunity for the students to pitch their ideas to business professionals for the first time.”