A Co Tyrone student is in a field of his own after winning the Federation of Businesses (FSB) and Colleges Northern Ireland award.
Daniel Sawyers, a student at the South West College secured the top prize of £1,000 at this year’s Future Students of Business awards thanks to the livestick business he has established.
Daniel, who is currently undertaking a BTEC extended diploma in business scooped the award at the annual competition after impressing the judges with his business acumen, innovative thinking and planning for the future.
Held in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast, the competition, which is now in its ninth year, celebrates the cream of business talent from Northern Ireland’s six regional colleges.
Presenting the award Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry said: “Northern Ireland needs young people with original ideas to drive our economy forward. We need the spark that entrepreneurs provide, to help our economy grow stronger, to start new business and adopt innovative approaches, whatever their chosen career path.
“This annual awards event is an excellent opportunity for further education students to gain recognition for their business skills and develop their potential for business success in Northern Ireland. “I congratulate both Colleges NI and the Federation of Small Businesses for their initiative in creating these awards which clearly demonstrate the value we all place on dynamic, enterprising individuals.”
As well as excelling in his studies, the Sixmilecross student has been busy establishing his own livestock business and is already selling his produce to two local abattoirs. The young entrepreneur is hoping to expand his business in the near future and is currently looking into a number of options aimed at reducing his energy costs while increasing his profit margins.
Colleges NI chief executive, Gerry Campbell concluded: “There is growing recognition of the fantastic entrepreneurial talent that continues to progress through our regional colleges. I am pleased that many of Colleges NI’s graduates continue to make the leap from further and higher education into the world of business.
“We know that support for our SMEs is essential as our economy works its way out of recession and the FSB’s investment in Northern Ireland’s students and support for the regional colleges is an endorsement in the bright and positive future of Northern Ireland. Our Colleges continue to deliver exceptionally high quality learning opportunities and skills that remain vital to the future of Northern Ireland plc.”