Developing the Young Workforce North Highland

Caithness Chamber of Commerce press release

Thurso High School Young Enterprise Team “Current” are celebrating success with a bumper awards ceremony, seeing them crowned Company of the Year at the Young Enterprise Scotland Highland and Moray finals. The Team received this outstanding accolade alongside further awards for, Highly Commended Best Trade Stand, Best Financial Management, Best Presentation, Best Company Report, and Pioneering Leadership Award, presented to the Team’s Managing Director Ashleigh Coghill. Hoping to expand on their accomplishments, the young businesswomen will now go on to represent Highlands and Moray at the Young Enterprise Scotland (YES) national finals held in Glasgow, in May.

Taking on the Young Enterprise initiative alongside their studies, the S6 pupils were inspired to create a product to help liven up travel monotony for children in Caithness and Sutherland. After conducting research within local primary schools, the young entrepreneurs designed a product unique to the challenges of rural family life in the Highlands and “Social-Eyes” was born. The scavenger hunt bingo game aims to connect children and families in a fun, intergenerational activity and encourage engagement with their local surroundings.

A delighted Ashleigh Coghill, Managing Director of Current said; “Throughout the process of developing our Young Enterprise Company, we have gained invaluable business experience. To have created Social-Eyes, which so many enjoy, has been so rewarding and I am immensely proud of the Team. We have worked so hard these last few months, and I am so happy that our innovation & creativity was recognised by being awarded Company of the Year. We are excited to represent the Highlands & Moray at the Scottish Finals.

We are so grateful for the strong guidance and support of Mrs. Bremner, Trudy Morris, and Caithness Chamber, alongside DYW North Highland, throughout the whole process. The wider community support for Social-Eyes from our customers and the public has been overwhelming and has motivated us. We look forward to taking our next steps on the Social-Eyes journey!”

Social-Eyes was launched in early December 2022, Social Eyes has proved a hit with young children and families alike. The game was a resounding success and by Christmas, the team had sold 100 units. The Team now have their sights set on Highland-wide expansion, seeing a potential market for Social-Eyes in tourists travelling the popular NC500 route this spring and summer.

Lucy Bremner, Business Management teacher at Thurso High School commented: “I have been incredibly fortunate in supporting the pupils who have immersed themselves in the spirit of enterprise this year and they are very deserving of their achievements. All at Thurso High are exceptionally proud of them. Their success wouldn’t have been possible without the support of local community and organisations, and we are all very grateful for that”.

Running over a full academic year, the YES initiative provides a real-life learning opportunity, introducing young people to the realities of the world of work and business enterprise.  Alongside Lucy Bremner, the team has been mentored by Caithness Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, Trudy Morris.

Trudy commented; “This initiative is incredibly important in enhancing young people’s employability skills and the confidence built during the project can help young people reach their full potential. Through both the Chamber and Developing the Young Workforce North Highland, we are delighted to support this programme. Quality real-world experiences such as this, are invaluable in developing and enhancing the prospects of young people and readying them for the world of work. 

The Team has worked incredibly hard and shown great ingenuity and genuine business acumen. With a fantastic product and clear vision, their success has been well-earned. It is clear to see we have some especially motivated future leaders here in the North Highlands. We are exceptionally proud of both their ambitions and achievements, and it has been a privilege to see them flourish throughout the programme.”