Media Release
Young entrepreneurs rewarded
26 November 2007
Department of Employment, Education and Training Chief Executive Margaret Banks recognised the business achievements of secondary students at the Youth Business Awards presentation ceremony held at Parliament House today.
The annual awards bring together industry and education to participate in the ongoing development of small business education for secondary school students.
“As in previous years, the 2007 Youth Business Awards have seen a high standard of achievement and some very imaginative business ventures in areas ranging from beauty and retail services to sporting initiatives such as soccer and paintball,” Ms Banks said.
The top award went to three Year 12 students, Benyarkan Buayam, Hong Anh Lam and Jobelle Rodriguez, who ran a business called ‘Chao’ that sold Vietnamese spring rolls at Darwin High School
Awards were presented in four categories:
- Youth Business Award – Darwin High School
- Incentive Award – Maningrida Community Education Centre
- The Business Plan Award – Darwin High School
- Incentive Award – Casuarina Senior College
- The Innovation Award – Casuarina Senior College
- The Encouragement Award – Darwin High School
“The Department of Employment, Education and Training is committed to ensuring that secondary education is aligned with community and vocational needs and encourages industry participation in programs such as these awards.
“It is a credit to our teachers and the flexibility of the Northern Territory curriculum that students are able to gain an understanding of the risks and hard work that go into establishing a small business while still at school,” Ms Banks said.
70 students from Casuarina Senior College, Darwin High and Maningrida CEC participated in the program during 2007.
“It is the second year running that Maningrida CEC has been represented in these awards, and I commend our remote participants who were runners-up for the Youth Business Award,” Ms Banks said.
11 students from 6 winning teams were presented with an award certificate, a trophy and a cash prize.
Full details about the winning projects
Funding for the 2007 Youth Business Awards was provided jointly by the Department of Employment, Education and Training and the Department of Business, Economic and Regional Development. The Small Business Association NT has supported the awards since their inception in 1988.