YES! Programme

School kids at Transition Week for YES

The Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme (YES!) is an FIDC project 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.

In collaboration with Falkland College and the Schools, FIDC are developing two six-week business programmes for young entrepreneurs in both FICS and IJS & CE. The first of each programme is set to be delivered in 2023.

FIDC teams with Falkland College on two Business Breakfasts each year; one for the Year 11 Transition Week and a second for current and returning students, aged 16 to 21.

The aim of these Business Breakfasts is to allow these young individuals to network with potential employers and businesses in their desired career path.

Kirsty Lewis

Case study

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

Please contact us if you want to find out more.

Sponsorships

See other ways in which we are involved with the community.