BUDDING entrepreneurs showed off their business skills as part of a competition to promote teamwork.

Year 8 pupils at Scunthorpe's St Lawrence Academy took part in the Enterprise In Action programme, run by Young Enterprise.

WINNING TEAM: The EGO Enterprize team, back from left, Curtis Poma, 13, Jake Taylor, 12, and Nadia Afrin, 13, and, front from left, Mustaqur Rahman and Adam Moloney, both 13. Picture: Carl Gac. Buy this photo at www.thisisphotosales.co.uk/scunthorpe

The two-day programme challenges youngsters to work in teams to design, develop, construct a model for and promote a product.

A total of 30 pupils from the school took part in the programme, working in five teams, or mini-companies.

They then had to present their products to a panel of judges from the world of business and industry, with one team chosen to represent the school at the regional Enterprise In Action final in July.

After a close fight, the EGO Enterprize team emerged as the judges' pick for their product which incorporated a wallet and a toolbox.

Team member Jake Taylor, 12, said he enjoyed being part of the programme.

He said: "It has been really fun and I have learnt about teamwork.

"We did a wallet with a toolbox attached to it.

"I would encourage other people to take part in the programme."

Adam Moloney, 13, was also part of the winning team.

He said: "It was a good experience. The best bit was sorting out the ideas.

"I am looking forward to the final."

Mustaqur Rahman, 13, said: "It was a really good experience for me. I haven't done anything like this before.

"Making the wallet and doing the presentation were the best bits.

"I have learnt about teamwork and being confident when I go on stage."

Nadia Afrin, 13, said: "I liked working with people I wouldn't usually work with.

"I learnt that sometimes, ideas can be improved."

Bev Ross, managing director of Edge Interactive, worked with the pupils during the two-day programme and was one of the judges at Thursday's presentation evening.

She said she was impressed with the work of all of the youngsters who took part.

She said: "They were all fantastic – the standard of the presentations and the input during the time in school.

"Imaginations run wild and the school excels itself on a year-by-year basis.

"They are judged on certain criteria and awarded points.

"This year was extremely close and there was a really high standard.

"There was only one point in the whole thing."

The Enterprise In Action programme acts as a taster for Year 8 pupils, ahead of the Young Enterprise Company programme, which allows Year 10 pupils to set up their own real-life business.

Lead teacher for enterprise at St Lawrence Academy Justin Kock said the youngsters had benefited from being involved.

He said: "It has taught the children certain skills, using business as a backdrop.

"Some of the skills looked at were things like teamwork, initiative, risk-management and communication, just to name a few.

"One of the key things is it was a real-life experience for them.

"That is where the Enterprise In Action programme comes in handy because it gives them a real-life situation to work through and implement their skills."