A group of Belfast students have landed paid summer work placements with car retailer, Charles Hurst, after coming out on top in an Apprentice-style competition which tested their entrepreneurial talent, wits and skill.
The competition, which was organised in partnership with Business in the Community (BITC), saw three teams of students from six of Belfast’s biggest schools pitching their worth to Charles Hurst’s Operations Director – and judge – Colin McNab.
As part of the exercise, each team was awarded £500 pounds to enhance the value of their chosen used car with a view to making a profit for their school once the vehicle sold at auction.
The team which won the most profit was Team 1 Corpus Christi College and Monkstown Community School.
However, judge Colin McNab was so impressed with the talent on show that he decided to take on four students from the schools which took part – Sonia Irvine from Newtownabbey Community High School, Hannah Devine from St Rose’s Dominican College, Gary Daly from Corpus Christi College and Aaron Rea from Monkstown Community School.
The four students can now look forward to a once-in-a-lifetime placement opportunity to acquire new skills and knowledge by working across a number of key divisions at Charles Hurst during their summer holidays and get paid for their efforts.
Charles Hurst Group Operations Director Colin McNab said: “We’re always up for a challenge at Charles Hurst and through this important community initiative, we had the great pleasure to work with a remarkable group of individuals who went to great lengths to show off their individual skills and tenacity while working as part of a team. As Northern Ireland’s largest car retailer, we know that our most important asset is our staff and we’re really excited to see that the next generation of school-leavers are prepped and ready to go.
“Everyone who took part deserves great credit for putting so much into the process. We’re delighted with the result and we look forward to welcoming our four new ‘apprentices’ on board.”
Business in the Community Chief Executive John Heaslip said the competition not only tested every student’s skills and abilities but was also a great motivator as the pupils started to consider their future careers and aspirations.
He commented: “Business in the Community is thrilled to have been directly involved in this worthwhile initiative and we would encourage other companies to think about creative ways to engage and support the future workforce and inspire young people about the career options open to them”.