A group of 80 youngsters from throughout Argyll and the Islands are spending two days
brushing up on their business skills through a series of team building exercises.

As part of the Young Enterprise Scotland (YES) programme, Argyll and the Islands
Enterprise (AIE) is paying to put pupils through their paces at Castle Toward, an Actual
Reality Learning and Leadership Centre at Ardentinny. 

Secondary schools from throughout the region are taking part in YES which involves pupils
forming a company in order to sell products or services.  They have to undertake tasks such as
opening a business banking account and assigning roles such as managing director, company
secretary, marketing director and so on.

At Castle Toward this week, youngsters are taking part in a range of activities including
kayaking and high and low rope events.  The two-day programme is designed to help pupils
develop new relationships within a team, increase trust, enhance creative thinking and
decision making as well as improve communication.

YES is a national organisation which provides entrepreneurial awareness, training and
opportunities through Local Area Boards and a network of local employers who act as
business advisers to the companies throughout their YES experience.

Chairman of the Argyll Area Board of YES is Lennie Moffat.  He is managing director of
Telecom Service Centres and is an AIE board member.  Commenting on the scheme, he said:
"This two-day residential event is a brilliant experience for youngsters taking part in the YES
programme and I would like to pay tribute to AIE for making it possible.  In previous years,
school pupils have rated this type of activity as the most beneficial.

"This year, I am particularly delighted to see schools from the islands of Islay and Tiree
taking part."

Bonita Ellmore from Castle Toward explained the significance of residential team building
events and the positive impact on businesses: "This two-day event is designed to help young
enterprising people respond quickly, flexibly and creatively to the challenges of modern day
business.  Most importantly however, pupils learn to acknowledge that success is a product of
both individual and team efforts."