Northland leads in Enterprise Education

21 March, 2003

ENTERPRISE EDUCATION : MEDIA RELEASES 2003

Northland electricity distributors Top Energy and Northpower, and regional development agency Enterprise Northland, have launched a ground-breaking joint initiative to reward Northland secondary teachers who promote enterprise education in their schools.

The first initiative of its type in New Zealand , Northpower and Top Energy are offering to support a teacher in every Northland secondary school to provide part-time co-ordination and promotion of enterprise education programmes.

Officially launched by Economic Development Under-Secretary, Dover Samuels, in Whangarei on Friday [Subs: 21 March, 2003 ], 11 schools are already participating in the programme.

If all Northland secondary schools have a teacher acting as an Enterprise Co-ordinator the Northpower/Top Energy sponsorship of the management units will total about $90,000 over two years.

Devised by Enterprise Northland, the unique teacher support scheme is designed to underpin another Northland-first enterprise education programme - the Young Entrepreneur Programme (YEP).

YEP which was originated by the Enterprise New Zealand Trust compliments the Young Enterprise Scheme, and its other enterprise education programmes.

Trialling of the YEP programme in Northland, which is being steered by former Northland headmaster Frank Leadley , is being supported by significant funding through Industry New Zealand in order to test its potential application nationally.

Enterprise Northland chairman, Mike Simm , says the Northpower and Top Energy sponsorship of the Enterprise Co-ordinator scheme "demonstrates that these two important local companies care about the communities they are involved in."

"Their involvement should send a couple of important messages to Wellington . The first is that Northland will support important public sector initiatives, and that the region believes it is extremely important to get enterprise education into schools."

Mr Simm says Enterprise Northland's push for enterprise education supports a key recommendation made in the economic development strategy for Northland, released last year.

"That document clearly identifies the need for Northland to develop an enterprise culture. Getting Northland companies to partner with government and the education system to deliver this is itself, an advertisement for enterprise."

Dover Samuels has applauded Top Energy and Northpower for being "socially responsible corporate citizens."

"My congratulations to Top Energy chief executive, Roger de Bray, and Northpower chief executive, Mark Gatland, for their commitment to our leaders of tomorrow."

Mr Samuels says the initiative will help put the foundations in place for successful small business development in Northland.

"It will encourage entrepreneurial flair and raising the aspirations of Northland's young people, particularly young Maori."

Northpower chief executive, Mark Gatland, says young Northland people need a range of opportunities in which to develop their skills and excel.

"This scheme helps to fill an essential gap in their education and Northpower is delighted to be able to contribute in partnership with Top Energy, Enterprise Northland and the Enterprise New Zealand Trust."

Top Energy chief executive Roger de Bray says his company is supporting getting Enterprise co-ordinators into Far North secondary schools as part of its commitment to practical education and the learning of life-skills.

"Top Energy is also running the successful School-to-Work programme which funds work experience for senior Far North secondary students. This programme is also based around enterprise learning, and is a New Zealand first."

Mr de Bray says it is gratifying to see Northland leading New Zealand in initiatives like this.

Top Energy recently received national acclaim from Water Safety New Zealand for its long-run sponsorship of water safety and swimming education in Far North Schools.

Meanwhile, Enterprise New Zealand Trust executive director, Ken Baker, says Northland should be congratulated for its enviable record of supporting enterprise education. He says winning the latest sponsorship support "is a credit to two dedicated champions: Frank Leadley and Mike Simm ."

Mr Baker says the Enterprise New Zealand Trust has originated national enterprise education programmes from primary to secondary schools, from PrEP to Young Entrepreneur.

"Nationally it has pioneered a systematic approach to enterprise education in schools in the firm belief that only the development of enterprising people will enable New Zealanders to be self-sufficient, and contribute to a growing economy and healthy society," Mr Baker says.

"Northland leaders such as Frank Leadley and Mike Simm , and their staff and sponsors, are committed people who recognise the value of developing enterprising people who will lead the next generation of business and job creators."

The Northland schools to establish Enterprise Management Units so far are:

Taipa Area School (Karen Galley); Whangaroa College (Sheree Marino); Springbank School (Megan Prendergast); Kerikeri High School (Chris Bell); Northland College (Jenneke Van den Berg); Whangarei Boys High School (Kirsty Price); Whangarei Girls High School (Janet Lang); Kamo High School (Alan Bayly); Tikipunga High School (Jack Andersen); Mangakahia Area School (Debra Miller); Bream Bay College (Marie Smyth).

For further information:
Frank Leadley
YEP Director
027 475 6793

Roger de Bray
Chief Executive, Top Energy
025 743 424

Mark Gatland
Chief Executive, Northpower
(09) 430 1852

Ken Baker
Executive Director, Enterprise New Zealand Trust
025 276 0714