The sky’s the limit for young people at SE Chairman’s Challenge
One hundred young people from across Scotland will come together today (Monday 12 November) to discuss the future of Scotland’s economy at an event organised by Scottish Enterprise, where they will have the once in a lifetime opportunity to meet and get advice from an astronaut from NASA.
The Scottish Enterprise Chairman’s Challenge, part of the Year of Young People, aims to equip participants with the tools they need to lead change, now and in the future. Young leaders covering the length and breadth of Scotland are coming together at the event in Glasgow to be seen and be heard on the future of Scotland’s economy.
As well as developing solutions to the economic challenge for Scotland, the programme will give participants a real and practical experience, enabling them to broaden their horizons and to develop the skills they need to adapt and thrive to diverse situations.
Delegates at the event, all aged 18-24, will hear from Col. Doug Wheelock, a NASA astronaut, and senior leaders at Scottish Enterprise as they are challenged to develop new ideas and offer solutions to a real-life economic development topic for Scotland. Participants will work with mentors from across industry to develop their solutions before presenting them to a panel of senior leaders from Scottish Enterprise and EY.
Commenting on the challenge, Bob Keiller, chairman of Scottish Enterprise, said: “We believe Scotland has a unique opportunity to develop innovative solutions to the big challenges the world faces, while also creating inclusive economic development opportunities across the country. We must ensure that future generations of Scots have the right ambition, mindset, capabilities and connections to be able to provide solutions to some of these issues and today is all about inspiring these young people and setting them on the path to success.”
The event is supported by a range of organisations and businesses including Police Scotland, BBC Scotland, Scottish Power Renewables, RBS, Rolls-Royce, Standard Life Aberdeen, Adopt An Intern and Who Cares? Scotland.