Solas Business Community Final (Part 1!)

Solas Business is one of 3 programmes we run in (15) local schools as part of our Solas @ School programme. Based on the concept of Dragons Den, each group of students are paired with local corporate mentors to come up with a concept over 5 weeks in the classroom with the final week taking place in the businesses boardroom where they face the 'dragons'. A winner from each school then goes on to take part in the Community Final. This programme helps build confidence, self-worth and character in the young people. They gain a glimpse into the business world and what it would be like to work in a local business. 

Last Thursday we had the first of our 2016 Solas Business Community Finals where 6 schools finalists battled it out to take the ultimate prize. It is no easy job standing up to present to a big room of over 150 people and we are incredibly proud of each and every young person who took part. 

Our M.C. for the day was Solas Project Head Gardener Graham Jones:

Schools taking part were: Marist Primary School, St Brigids Primary School, Warrenmount Presentation, St Endas Primary School, Scoil Treasa Naofa and Brunswick St National School with each class coming along to support their finalists with some fantastic posters. 

Corporates mentors were from: Quantcast, Web Summit (2 schools), State St, McCann Fitzgerald, Maples & Calder

We had some fantastic ideas, (with the Poover being a personal favourite!) and it was a tough decision for our judges but ultimately it was the Phablet from the Marist Primary School together with their mentors from Quantcast Dublin who won out in the end. (pictured below)

We were delighted to have Lord Mayor Criona Ni Dhalaigh join us to kick off proceedings. 

Thank you to all our judges (pictured below), Rev. Craig Cooney, Ray Murphy (Chairman of Solas Project), Derek Tynan, Mary Lynch (Dublin City Council) and Karen Healy (Hilton Hotel)

A big thank you to St Catherines Church for providing the venue - and especially Lara for all her help.

Last but not least, a huge well done to Amy Ryan who kept the show on the road!

If your company is interested in taking part in Solas@School more information can be found here or contact Clodagh@solasproject.ie