YES! Programme
The Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme (YES!) is an FIDC project established in 2016 that aims to develop the business capacity of the Falkland Islands population by aiding and promoting sustainable business development within the local community.
The scheme includes the creation of new businesses, and assisting the expansion of existing businesses. YES! aims to educate young people, and the public more generally, about business, economics, and free enterprise. FIDC hosts various sessions/events with students from both the Infant and Junior School, Camp Education and the Senior School.
Business Breakfast
With assistance from Falkland College, FIDC hosted an annual Business Breakfast for Falkland Islands students currently attending further or higher education, or having recently completed their studies. Students are seated professionals from their preferred industry or interest.
From each Business Breakfast, FIDC is aware that a number of students are offered potential work experience or visits.
Careers Day
FIDC host an annual Careers Day session for the Falkland Islands Community School (FICS). The interactive session tasks students to work in groups to create business plans and present them to the FIDC “Dragons” (or, judges) – the Managing Director for FIDC, the Business Development Officer, and the Marketing & Communications Officer – to secure hypothetical funding.
Year 11 Enterprise
Since 2024, FIDC has supported Year 10 and 11 BTEC Enterprise students at FICS through a series of interactive sessions aimed at strengthening youth enterprise education.
These sessions introduced students to FIDC’s role in local economic development and helped them prepare for assessments by covering key business planning topics such as market research, pitch proposals, strategy development and financial forecasting which included guest sessions from Liz Crabbe Accounting. Ongoing support will continue to be provided.
Cookie Programme
The Year 5 Enterprise Programme, commonly known as the ‘Cookie Programme’, is an annual initiative delivered by FIDC, in partnership with FIG’s Careers Department and kindly sponsored by FIC.
Launched in 2023 and relaunched in 2025 with updated content, the programme challenges students to create and run a biscuit business, covering key enterprise topics such as product development, marketing, and sales.
The 2025 edition saw students sell over 160 cookies and raise nearly £300, with winning team ‘Cookie Delight’ earning top marks for their creative twist on a local recipe from “Cooking the Falklands Way”.
Plans are underway to expand the programme across Camp Education, with an initial introductory session being held in May 2025 with Fox Bay School.
Case Studies
Talia Jones
Talia Jones joined the FIDC team as the Specialist Projects Intern, over April and May 2025. The exciting position supported the Strategic Projects Manager, Tom Baker, with ongoing FIDC projects including the upcoming International Shearing Competition.
Talia previously worked as a wool handler for 4 years, and in between seasons gained experience in bookkeeping with Liz Crabbe Accounting. Having previously attended the FIDC Business Breakfast in 2021 Talia continued to show her interest in the role FIDC plays within the Falklands Business Community. and joined the team with her inspiring new ideas and positive attitude.
In the 24/25 Shearing and wool handling season Talia competed in 5 competitions and now has the honor of representing the Falkland Islands in the 2026 Sheep Shearing World Championships in New Zealand. Talia likes to spend her free time on her family farm with her favorite horses.
Tom says: “Talia consistently demonstrated her capability and insight as a valuable team member. We’re pleased to see how her contributions have helped drive our projects forward and wish her all the best in her future endeavours.
Lane McKay
Lane met with the Marketing & Communications Officer, Jane Clarke, at the FIDC Business Breakfast in 2022 and through establishing this connection, was able to secure a four-week marketing internship in July 2023 during a “summer” break from studying towards his undergraduate degree in Marketing Management with Psychology at the University of Sussex.
The internship was developed to provide Lane with an opportunity to learn more about the role of FIDC, business engagement, communications, and marketing in the Islands. He immediately impressed the team with his enthusiasm and ability to take initiative within his role, providing support with everything from the organising of the 2023 Business Breakfast to assisting with workshops and clients.
Jane says: “Lane proved to be a genuinely delightful asset and we would like to wish him the best of luck as he continues his studies.
Kirsty Lewis
Kirsty Lewis attended the annual FIDC sponsored Business Breakfast in July 2021, hosted in collaboration with Falklands College and the Chamber of Commerce, to connect current and returning students with opportunities to network with potential employers in their chosen fields.
After receiving her A level results Kirsty had secured a place to read aerospace engineering at Leicester University.
Meeting with Aquila representative Rookie at the Business Breakfast and learning more about the company, the equipment used and training required, she made the decision to pursue this great apprenticeship opportunity with Aquila.
Applying only a few days after her initial meeting, she received her formal offer after a few weeks and began her journey in October 2021.
Kirsty has completed a Btec in Electrical Engineering and is currently doing technical courses at RAF Cosford, RAF Shawbury and in Whiteley.
In February 2023 she will return to the Islands to continue her training for a further 6 months, and will then be a fully qualified Radar Maintainer working on the mountain sites along with the military maintaining the air defence radars for Aquila.
Further information
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