The year 10 and 11 students spent two days on Thursday and Friday, May 26 and 27, learning skills to help them share ideas and build rapport in the lead up to the launch of the 12-week program aimed at guiding the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Bega Valley Shire Council and Community Training Partnerships (CTP) will work together to run the Eden based Youth Opportunities Project called ‘Generation Innovation’.

Generation Innovation will target people aged between 15-17 years old to engage with local businesses to strengthen community relationships and create local job opportunities through community project activities.

“Students from Eden Marine High School who participated in the Bootcamp called ‘Gen-I’ enhanced their understanding of community problems and learnt how to actively recognise and create solutions for positive social change for the Eden community,” CTP’s Leanne Atkinson said. 

The students said they had a fantastic time at the boot camp and especially enjoyed spending the night at Jigamy. 

“We learnt so much in just two days,” 15-year-old Harrison McPherson said. “The realisation hit us that we have some good ideas and now we know what we need to do to follow them through.” 

Ideas pitched by the students include a device designed to remove plastic waste from the ocean, an organisation to improve refereeing at regional sports games and a website designed to help high school students communicate with their parents and teachers.

“We’ve learnt we can create our own job and do something that means something to you, that’s important, that you believe in, we can make our job meaningful,” student Tom Burn said. 

Students who participate in the on-going Generation Innovation project will receive a Unit of Competency in Communication through South Coast College. For details email estewart@begavalley.nsw.gov.au.