On Saturday 14 May, The Junior Achievement Young Enterprise Malta Foundation held the annual HSBC Company Programme Finals. This year's coveted title of Company of the Year went to Starling, a team from St. Aloysius College, who will be representing Malta in the European Finals to be held in Lucerne, Switzerland in July. Starling will be competing with a product called 'Innovase' that completely redesigns the concept of a vase or pot by making use of recycled wine bottles.
The Finals night ceremony rewards students from post-secondary schools for their efforts during the eight-month programme that immerses participants in the world of business through the setting-up of their own mini-company, where they raise share capital, launch and market their idea, and distribute dividends.
This year 14 teams from the schools of De La Salle College, G. F. Abela Junior College, Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School, MCAST Institute of Business and Commerce, St. Aloysius College, St. Martin's College, and Verdala International participated. These were APPlause, Blurred, Bubble, Eight, Elevate, Gear, LiNKD, Mavericks, Renascido, Spark'd, Starling, TravelX, Troupe, and Unity.
Throughout the programme the teams were judged at various stages and apart from competing for the title of Company of the Year, they were also assessed on different business principles vying for the nine signature awards generously sponsored by a number of leading local and international corporations.
The 2016 Finals saw these signature awards going to a spread of teams from a number of colleges. Recognising the overall creativity, innovation and quality of the teams' products and services provided the independent judging panel a tough time in deciding the winners.
This year the signature awards were awarded as follows:
The Best Business Plan Award supported by Deloitte - Won by Mavericks, St. Martin's College
The Best Implementation of Marketing & Sales Strategies Award supported by CIM - Won by Starling, St. Aloysius College
The Best HR & Operations Award supported by Farsons - Won by Spark'd, St. Aloysius College
The Social Enterprise Award supported by Microsoft - Won by Elevate, St. Aloysius College
The Best Presented Financial Statements Award supported by Deloitte - Won by Unity, St. Aloysius College
The Adpro Award for Best Quality System supported by Adpro Instruments Ltd. - Won by Bubble, Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School
The Best Presentation & Use of Communication Platforms supported by MCA - Won by Eight, St. Aloysius College
The Philip Bonnet Award for Perseverance was won by Renascido, St.Aloysius College
Deloitte also gave the opportunity to two students to work with them on a summer internship. The selected students were Aleandra Muscat and Filippo Vassallo Kirpalani from St. Aloysius College.
First runners up, Spark'd from De La Salle College, designed pens made from recyclable material. Each pen is inscribed with a unique message that is aimed at motivating and inspiring the pen user. A tie between Bubble from Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School and Eight from St. Aloysius College meant that the Runners up spot will be shared this year. Bubble created greeting cards capable of allowing a voice message recorded and played back when opened by the recipient. Eight created luxury soap packages which included a number of different scents for the soap.
Separately from these awards, Mr Emidio Friggieri was also recognised with the John Harper Award by the Chairman and Board Members for continuous commitment and contribution towards the organisation.
By encouraging students aged 16 - 18 to run their own companies, the Company Programme not only gives them valuable experience but also brings out skills which will serve them well in their future working life; these include development of personal skills, team spirit, knowledge and understanding of how businesses function, together with the responsibility to persevere in the face of adversity and unexpected challenges. Many alumni of this programme have taken stock of lessons learnt and continued their careers to set up their own business as a result of their involvement with the organisation. This message was reiterated by a number of guest speakers, primary amongst these was Her Excellency the President of the Republic, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca. Other guest speakers included the Head of Internal Audit of the Foundation's title sponsor, HSBC, Ms. Anna Camilleri as well as Director-General for Quality and Standards within the Ministry of Education and Employment, Mr. Ian Mifsud.
Learning by doing is the principal by which all students should develop their careers and is the main focus of Junior Achievement Young Enterprise Malta Foundation. The organisation offers several programmes starting at the Primary level up to University. This, based on a progression model, helps students with their career development beyond the traditional textbook and schoolroom education by facing real life working situations which few experience outside this programme.
JAYE Malta congratulates all Company Programme participants for reaching this milestone at their tender age.