THERE is still time for business-minded University of Ulster students to enter this year’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award.
Hosted by the University of Ulster Business School in partnership with the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce (NICC) the award recognises final year business students with entrepreneurial flair.
The award is a Postgraduate Bursary up to the value of £9,000 which includes a mentoring programme, giving students the opportunity to boost their futures with a cutting edge Ulster Business School Masters Programme, while also meeting with a mentor from a Northern Ireland business for six months.
In addition, the winning student will gain essential business skills such as networking techniques, presentation skills and management styles, as well as learning the responsibility of arranging and preparing their own mentor meetings while gaining an appreciation of entrepreneurial spirit.
Pauric McGowan, professor of entrepreneurship at Ulster Business School and Chair of the judging panel said: “As part of the Ulster Business School’s commitment to supporting the growth and development of the Northern Ireland economy, this award helps to raise the profile of entrepreneurship and increases the incentive for enterprise amongst our students.
“The current highly challenging environment has highlighted that future growth and prosperity will be greatly enhanced by nurturing the entrepreneurial flair and talent of our graduates.
“By partnering with NICC, the Ulster Business School is providing our entrepreneurs of the future with invaluable experience, and a unique opportunity to acquire and develop the key skills required to succeed.”
Oonagh O’Reilly, business development director, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, said: “NI Chamber of Commerce believes that in order to grow the private sector in Northern Ireland, young entrepreneurs need encouragement and support.
“With this in mind we are delighted to be working in partnership with the University of Ulster in order to promote the vast array of business talent, entrepreneurial spirit and innovation we have in Northern Ireland.”
Applications will comprise a 500 word essay outlining why the applicant deserves to win the award and should be submitted by April 30. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in May and the winner will be announced in June with the selected course of study beginning in September 2014.
Meanwhile, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has confirmed that it will recruit a further 35 school-leavers into its Higher Apprenticeship programme in Northern Ireland in 2014, with further opportunities for school-leavers in other apprentice roles.
The announcement follows the success its 2013 pilot Professional Services higher apprenticeship framework that included distinct pathways for each of the Audit, Taxation and Management Consulting occupations. The pilot commenced with 20 apprentices, six following the Audit Pathway and 14 following the Taxation Pathway.
In addition the company will recruit over 130 new graduates in NI in 2014, accounting for almost 10% of PwC’s total UK graduate recruitment. The new graduate roles will increase overall employment numbers in the firm’s tax, assurance and consulting and advisory practices, as well as in technology roles where trainees work in information security and system testing.