Budding entrepreneurs share business ideas

Dakabin kidpreneurs will showcase their wares today at a Queensland Government workshop to foster business brains.

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy, Leeanne Enoch joined 30 years 4, 5 and 6 students from Dakabin State School to participate in the Advance Queensland Budding Business Brains workshop.

Ms Enoch was joined at the event by Member for Kallangur Shane King and Member for Pine Rivers Nikki Boyd.

“It is encouraging to see young people exploring their creativity, developing business ideas and learning new skills with the aim of fostering entrepreneurial thinking,” Ms Enoch said.

“Programs like the Advance Queensland Budding Business Brains workshop will equip children with knowledge and skills to help them later in life, and to prepare them for the jobs of the future”.

The half-day training program run by Club Kidpreneur steps students through developing a business idea including logos and business names, and culminates in selling the products they create to raise money for a good cause.

During the workshop, and in the weeks to follow, mentors and teachers help students research and refine their ideas before they build their products.

Mr King said previous workshops have seen children produce model plane kits, hair accessories, photo frames and personalised rings which were all later sold with proceeds going to charity.

“Learning how to think on their feet, face a challenge, manage money, be creative, and work with others will prepare young people for when they leave school,” he said.

“Some of these students may well start a successful business while they’re still in school.

“The Palaszczuk Government’s $180 million Advance Queensland initiative is looking at how coding, computer science and robotics are taught in schools and we are ensuring that there are pathways for more students to study science, technology, engineering and maths because workers with these skills will be in demand.”

Ms Boyd said the event was a valuable experience for local school children.

“Our budding entrepreneurs have shown just how bright our future will be when students have the opportunity to learn and apply some truly valuable skills from a young age,” she said.

“Local charities will benefit from the sale of items made at the workshop and sold at a local market day, to be held after Easter.”

Club Kidpreneur has partnered with over 500 schools in Australia and New Zealand to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit in eight to 12 year old students.

Media contact: Daniel Lato 0438 830 201