The event highlighted the outstanding achievements of young people who are shaping the future through creativity and collaboration.

As part of the programme, 75 schools were officially presented with the NL Enterprising School Award for 2024-25, recognising their commitment to embedding enterprise education and developing essential skills for life and work.

Young people from a range of primary, secondary, and ASN schools showcased projects delivered in partnership with leading organisations, including Young Enterprise Scotland, Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI), Social Enterprise Academy, The King’s Trust and North Lanarkshire Council Enterprise Team.

Councillor Michael McBride, Convener of Education, Children and Young People said: “These projects demonstrate how enterprise education empowers pupils to tackle real-world challenges, develop leadership skills, and make a positive impact in their communities.

“This event celebrated the creativity and determination of our young people. Enterprise education is about equipping learners with the confidence and skills they need to succeed in an ever-changing world.”

North Lanarkshire’s Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Delivery Plan 2025–2028 has been designed by the council and partner organisations to support young people aged 3–18 in building successful futures.

The plan provides relevant and meaningful curriculum experiences, work-related learning opportunities, and essential skills such as creative thinking, collaboration, and entrepreneurship.

These skills will help young people thrive and adapt to current and future changes.

• Holy Family Primary School’s, Social Enterprise Academy project Frozen Friday’s saw pupils making and selling healthy ice lollies with profits used to set up the Holy Family Swap Shop providing clothing, uniform, and essential items for families to help ease the cost of living.
• Woodlands Park worked with Young Enterprise and Social Enterprise Academy to develop the Cozy Cup @ Café Well Park. Pupils trained as Baristas selling delicious coffees, teas and hot chocolates along with breakfast rolls to parents and staff from their school and the adjoining high school. Profits were invested into creating Christmas gift bags that were distributed to families by the local church.
• Coatbridge High School took part in the King’s Trust Enterprise Challenge with two groups reaching the final with their innovative, sustainable business ideas Kind Threads, a sustainable clothing pop-up shop and Recyclable Stationary and Jotters enterprise allowing students to purchase affordable, eco friendly items.
• Stepps Primary School’s Young Enterprise Circular Economy Challenge, “Umweltfreundlich” (German for eco-friendly), focuses on upcycling old and used furniture. Pupils aim to offer affordable pieces while encouraging sustainability through incentives and discounts for customers who donate materials or purchase products making furniture accessible and helping protect the environment.
• St Andrew’s High Schools Totes Amazing Social Enterprise Academy project tackles fast fashion waste and environmental impact. The group reuse old fabrics (clothes, curtains, bedding) to create recycled tote bags that are fashionable and environmentally friendly.
• Cardinal Newman High School competed in North Lanarkshire’s Dragon’s Lair, where their innovative project, Project Chef, took first place. This AI-powered, hands-free cooking device scans the ingredients in your fridge and cupboards, generates tailored recipes, and projects step-by-step instructions for home cooks to follow helping reduce food waste and helping families with the cost of living.
• Bellshill Academy participated in the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative, where two groups raised awareness of mental health through an interactive 1% Club quiz and a dance performance. Their efforts secured £3,000 for the local charity You Are My Sunshine Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub.