Enterprise Challenge Project

Overview

The Enterprise Challenge LIT Project is delivered to young people from Secondary Schools in both Limerick City and County. Delivered in association with Junior Achievement Ireland this project aims to immerse the students in a dynamic and innovative enterprise programme that helps them to set realistic goals and encourages them to realise their full potential.

Project Aims

Improve the life skills of disadvantaged young people and prepare them for a successful transition from education to work/further training.
Persuade at-risk teenagers to stay in school and realise their full potential
Provide positive role models from the business sector to encourage young people in danger of social exclusion to raise their aspirations and plan for their futures.

Programme Breakdown

The four key components of the programme:

6 week Junior Achievement enterprise programme:
The Economics of Staying in School programme introduces at-risk students to the benefits of education through a series of six activities. Students learn how to make informed choices about their future- education, careers, budgets, and other personal economic decisions.

Enterprise workshops and LIT Visit:
The participating students take part in a series of workshops focusing on topics such as interview skills, personal development, communication, and exploring employment and college opportunities. The participants learn about LIT, meet with LIT students and have the opportunity to tour the campus to get a flavour of college life.

Company Site Visits
The participating students have an opportunity to visit a local company to understand what services this company provides, identify the organisational culture, learn what careers/jobs are available in the company and gain an understanding of “working life”. The company partners on this project are Limerick County Council, Dell, Vistakon and Intel.

Outdoor Activities
The students visit UL Adventure Centre for a full day of personal and social education.  Students learn to overcome challenges and to achieve individual success, which greatly enhances self-confidence, self-control, and self-discipline.