Exporting doesn’t seem like an interest that many youngsters would share, but following a unique competition launched in partnership by The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) North team and ICC Solutions, young people from across the North of England challenged themselves to think outside the box and choose a product or service to export to a country that delivers the DofE.
At the Exporting Excellence Northern Final at the Peace Centre in Warrington, six schools met in the final round of the competition.
Supported throughout the competition by both a DofE Operations Officer and an ICC Solutions Export Champion, the young people pitched their ideas using their new-found knowledge of exporting to a panel of judges, including representatives from the Department for International Trade, the Institution of Export and International Trade, ICC Solutions and the DofE.
The Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire (Mr David Briggs M.B.E, K.St.J.) presented the Laurence Jackson School from Guisborough, Teesside, with a £2,500 prize for winning the competition, while Walkden High School from Salford, Greater Manchester came second and received £1,500.
Warrington’s Great Sankey High School secured third place and a cheque for £1,000. The remaining highly commended finalists won £500 each. In addition to the prize fund, all young people participating received a commemorative plaque.
Rebecca Lax, DofE Operations Officer, said, “It was amazing how well the six schools did – I think every school had put in far more than 12 hours.
“I sat at lunch with the students, which was a great reminder of what it was all about. On each of the table sat excited but nervous young people ready to do their very best for the school and themselves.”
Following the prize presentation the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award team announced that exporting would now be included as part of the Skills Section of the DofE Award on a national basis.
Young people throughout Britain will now have the opportunity for focused education, training and mentoring on exporting. This initiative is intended to ignite a passion for export in young people, who could be the international traders of tomorrow – ensuring Britain thrives as a powerful global trading nation.
As a three times Queen’s Award for Enterprise winner, two for International Trade and one for Innovation, ICC Solutions is committed to inspiring others to embrace the opportunities offered by international trade.
Dave Maisey, Chief Executive of ICC Solutions, said: “The objective of this competition was to make young people aware of the opportunities and excitement of international trade, whilst highlighting some of the considerations that need be applied to be a successful exporter.
“Our aim was to ignite a passion for export within young people, and inspire them with the confidence that they can embrace opportunities to do business within the global marketplace.
“These young people could be the successful exporters of the future ensuring that Britain thrives in international trade. Working together, with the youth of today, let’s ensure that Britain is clearly seen as excelling in exporting and seize the opportunities offered by Brexit.”
To complete a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, young people volunteer in their communities, learn a skill, get fit and plan and undertake an expedition, fulfilling six to 18 months of challenging activity.
Through this sustained, meaningful activity, young people develop key life and employability skills, such as self-management, problem solving, team working, communication and confidence.
To find out more about the DofE Charity and how it enables young people to succeed, please click here.
