Dermot Curran Awards Celebrate Down District’s Young Student Achievers

CELEBRATING the enterprise and entrepreneurship of young people in Down district was the focus of the Dermot Curran Young Achievers Awards Ceremony held in Down Arts Centre in Downpatrick on Thursday 22 March 2012.

An enthusiastic audience of young people from the South Eastern Regional College (SERC) and from local schools, nominated for this year’s awards, celebrated their achievements as young entrepreneurs in business and enterprise. They were joined by members of the district’s main towns’ Chambers of Commerce who were part of an ‘Enterprise Question Time‘ panel responding to questions from students during the event.

Down District Councillor Dermot Curran with some of the winners ar the Dermot Curran Young Achievers Awards held in the Down Arts Centre.

Sponsored by Down District Council and SERC, the Awards Ceremony is a demonstration of the commitment shown by the Council and its partners to the promotion of entrepreneurship among young people in the Down area.

The Dermot Curran Young Achiever Awards are designed to recognise outstanding individuals and teams who have demonstrated the entrepreneurial spirit and determination needed to achieve success in the world of business and specifically to recognise the contribution made by young people.

Speaking at the Awards Ceremony, Down District Council Chairman, Councillor Dermot Curran said, “In currently difficult economic times, we must look to those who can be more entrepreneurial and innovative to bring their skills to the challenges that face us in business and in the wider economy. Young people learn more and mature more quickly through this process, becoming the capable leaders and business people we will depend on for our future. I am glad to see that the spirit of enterprise in our district is indeed alive and well.

Down District Council’s Cultural and Economic Development Committee Chairman, Councillor John Doris added, “These Awards reflect my colleague Councillor Dermot Curran’s ongoing enthusiasm for the promotion of entrepreneurship among young people, and for the contribution that young people can make to the economic life of our beautiful district.  The Awards acknowledge and encourage young people who are developing their business and entrepreneurial skills; young people who we hope will contribute to the economic development of Down district through the application of their business, organisational and team working skills.”

To watch the YOU TUBE video please click here