At the start of the new academic year Manx charity Junior Achievement and a team of volunteer business mentors visited 400 Year 12 students to introduce them to the Junior Achievement Company Programme, which is supported by the Boston Charitable Foundation.

The students from King William’s College, Castle Rushen High School, Queen Elizabeth II High School and Ballakermeen High School participated in the ‘You’re Hired, You’re Fired’ marketing challenge.

Students at each school were split into groups and given a 45-minute challenge to create, brand and plan an advertising campaign for a product. The winning team at each school were awarded with individual ‘You’re Hired, You’re Fired’ trophies.

The idea behind the challenge was to give students a taster session in the hope they will go on to sign up to the Junior Achievement Company Programme.

The programme provides young people with the opportunity to set up and run their own student business over the course of an academic year and is recognised by UK universities as the top entrepreneurial programme in Europe.

Junior Achievement CEO Sue Cook said: ‘We had a brilliant week in the Island’s schools. The Year 12 students really rose to the challenge and I can’t wait to see what business ideas they will come up with this year and I am extremely grateful to the wonderful team of 30 volunteers who supported us.’

The team see in the photograph won the afternoon session at Ballakermeen High School. All the other winning teams can be seen on the Junior Achievement Facebook page juniorachievementisleofman.

If you would like to become a classroom volunteer or find out how you can support the work of Junior Achievement call 666266 or visit www.jaiom.im.

Photo - The winning team from the afternoon session at Ballakermeen High School together with the Boston Group’s Catherine Ellison. Picture Andrew Barton.