Local business people are being urged to pass on their skills and expertise to the next generation of entrepreneurs by taking part in the Young Enterprise volunteering programme. The entrepreneurship charity runs a number of programmes aimed at schoolchildren and needs the input of local business experts to ensure that they gain a first hand insight into the world of business.

Chief Executive at Young Enterprise, Carol Fitzsimons explained: "We prefer to move away from a totally theory-based approach within our programmes. A real business person coming along and sharing their experience and expertise adds a lot more to these programmes than just reading alone. The students hear first hand what business is about, the challenges they may face and the reality of dealing with particular pressures."

When people hear the word 'volunteering' they tend to envisage making cups of tea for pensioners. But volunteering has many facets and passing on skills and knowledge is a very important part of the success of our programmes. We have had a cross-section of businesses participate but we still need more as our programmes are growing year on year.

Gillian Esquivel, Director of CimaOmega, has recently returned to the classroom to nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Volunteering on the Young Enterprise Northern Ireland 'Our World' Programme at St Joseph's Primary School, Carryduff, has been an alternative experience for the training organisation director, who is more accustomed to delivering programmes to corporate clients.

Our World introduces students to the concept of international business, and Gillian facilitated a trading game and an international enterprise challenge to simulate the decisions made by countries and businesses, with the workshop culminating in an 'Apprentice'-style finale.

'I would urge other business people to consider volunteering for Young Enterprise - it's a great way to develop and enhance your own communication and interpersonal skills, while doing something really worthwhile. Being around the curiosity of kids and their unbridled enthusiasm and energy is contagious. In the current climate, if we as business leaders adopt more of this curiosity, energy and intriguing attitude, we can enhance our innovation and levels of creativity, and bring more enterprising ways and ideas of working back into our businesses. Especially as the future of the local economy depends on new, creative talent, and the spirit of enterprise needs to be encouraged from a young age'.

"I find my input is very well received and it is very rewarding to see the children work on enterprising challenges. It's only by involving them from an early age that they will get to understand the benefits of reaching out beyond our communities and boundaries and inspire them that they have something to offer in the world, to improve their own prospects, and contribute to the local economy and prosperity of NI." added Gillian

Young Enterprise is Northern Ireland's foremost business and enterprise education charity and all its programmes are based on the principle of 'learning by doing', to promote a culture of enterprise from an early age. All activities are delivered by fully-trained business volunteers from partnership organisations and funded by a variety of public and private sector organisations.

To find out more about corporate support or volunteering opportunities, contact Young Enterprise Northern Ireland on 02890 327003.