A GROUP of young entrepreneurs from Lochgelly High School has turned a pound coin into hundreds of notes, having successfully completed Micro-Tyco.

This was a challenge aimed at encouraging and inspiring young people to develop entrepreneurial and business skills, whilst becoming ethical investors themselves.

The six 3rd year pupils at Lochgelly High School - Kyle Bain (15), Holly Cathcart (14), Ciar Chalmers (14), Juliene Heeps (15), Joel Robertson (14) and Cameron Smart (14) turned £1 into £389.43 within four weeks.The team cleaned cars at lunchtime, set-up a Valentine’s Day rose delivery service, organised a FIFA Playstation tournament, set-up a tuck shop and busked in Lochgelly’s High Street.

A pupil from the Micro-Tyco team at Lochgelly High School, said, “I have gained confidence, teamwork and all different kinds of skills. I have learned it is easier to work as part of a group.” The pupils were guided and supported by Ms Lorna Mcarthur, Acting PTC Business Education & Computing; and Mr Ray Fernie, Acting PCT DET, and were teamed up with business mentors, Pauline Braisby of CR Smith and Marc McLean from Royal Bank of Scotland. Pauline Braisby of CR Smith, said, “The Lochgelly Micro-Tyco team are an inspiration. They had an abundance of ideas and plenty of enthusiasm about how to turn the initial investment into as much money as they could.

“In taking part in this challenge, the group gained confidence and an insight into the world of business. They faced and overcame challenges while fostering entrepreneurial thinking and creativity to achieve their vision.” Fife Council’s Economic Development team worked in partnership with schools to pilot Micro-Tyco in Fife. Micro-Tyco is a concept from the Scottish charity, WildHearts, that aims to ignite the spirit of enterprise in leading companies, universities, secondary schools, primary schools and pre-five establishments.

Lochgelly High School was one of four schools in Fife to take part in the enterprise challenge, from which the money raised will be invested by WildHearts in micro-loans to help the world’s poorest people work their own way out of poverty with dignity and self-respect.

Fife Council’s Executive Spokesperson for Business, Enterprise, Economy & Planning, Councillor Lesley Laird, said, “It was brilliant to hear about the range of different ways the pupils raised money during the month of February.

Councillor Bryan Poole, spokesperson for Education, Children, Young People and Families added, “Hopefully the pupils who took part have gained confidence and new skills by taking part in this challenge.” Our picture shows Councillor Lesley Laird (left) with pupils from Lochgelly High School who took part in Micro-Tyco and their teacher, Ms Mcarthur (right).