Week Gen-C to offer career and entrepreneurship respite to pandemic-hit youth

by Startacus Admin
Week Gen-C is a week long calendar of events focused on entrepreneurship and careers, aimed at helping young people affected by the covid pandemic in the North West of NI
The pandemic has brought many challenges, in particular for young people as they deal with the uncertainties of its impact on their job prospects and career aspirations.
Now, two North-West NI based organisations have come together to deliver a week long calendar of events aimed at helping young people and indeed anyone whose career has been affected by the global pandemic in the North West of NI, the chance to learn about the skills and tools they will need and explore the opportunities that exist, within this new economy and landscape.
Co-organised by young people, Week Gen-C is a part-employability, part-career and part-entrepreneurship focused event that is being delivered in partnership by Enterprise NW and Startacus and with the support of organisations including NWRC and Young Enterprise NI.
Taking place virtually between 10th - 14th May 2021, Week Gen C will have 3 core elements:
Hack This! - A hackathon and ideation-focused virtual event that will aim to not only develop innovative new business ideas and employability skills, but to also provide an opportunity for local employers to identify and pipeline potential new employees for apprenticeships, placements and entry level roles within their organisations.
Learn This! - A series of virtual learning exercises, interactive workshops and panel discussions focused on a range of key areas including personal and soft-skills development, employability, career pathways, upskilling and entrepreneurship.
Work This! - A virtual careers fair focused on providing local NI employers with the opportunity to signpost their jobs, placements, training opportunities to those looking for work, a new career or the opportunity to re-train.
With the overall aim of the event being to promote opportunities and generate inspiration, the organisers are keen to involve young people wherever possible.
A steering committee will be created composed of local young people who will help to plan and coordinate the week-long event as well as being actively involved with the facilitation of the various workshops, panels and sessions.
Alastair Cameron, Co-founder of Startacus commented:
“The last 12 months have been challenging for us all, but in particular for our young people. We felt that we had to do something proactive to help - this generation should not be prevented from flourishing or reaching their employable and creative potential because of the pandemic”.
Brian O’Neill, Director of Development and Enterprise, Enterprise NW, added:
“For young people looking to get their first step on the career ladder, the outlook is particularly challenging, post-Covid. Many have had their education and training unavoidably disrupted at a point in their lives when they should be finding their feet, working out what to do next and thinking about their career direction”.
“However, we know that crucial to rebuilding the economy will be highly skilled, motivated young people. The young people we support today with advice, knowledge and skills, will be the workforce of tomorrow helping employers lead the charge towards recovery and economic growth for the prosperity of all. That’s why investing in young people now is crucial. Because when young people succeed, we all succeed”.
The Week Gen-C project is funded through the David Cross Young People's Fund, a partnership between the Community Foundation, the Department for Communities and the David Cross Foundation.
If you are a North-West NI based employer, training organisation or school that would like to support Week Gen-C, or find out more about the calendar of events, please contact Rachel Gallagher on rachel@enterprisenw.com or by calling 028 71352693
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Want to gain an edge over your business competitors? Listening to your audience is an absolute must.

The Clothes Doctor mission to fight fast fashion continues as the innovative eco clothing care brand raises £1m to support further growth.

If you plan on using social media to promote your brand, these simple rules will help, increasing both brand awareness and the number of consumers.

High-potential social impact startups from the UK sought for the 9th annual Les Tremplins by Voyage Privé programme.

The lowdown on Danish startup EvodiaBio and its innovative tech that produces sustainable aromas for the food and beverage industry.

Small Business Britain’s ‘How to Grow’ report outlines how small businesses are responding to economic challenges and how they can grow during recession.

Odd Coffee Company - the startup that's tackling coffee wastage by offering sustainably-sourced surplus coffee, rescued from British roasters.

Tech Nation shares an overview of the impact they have had on the UK's tech economy and ecosystem.

The lowdown on London-based Tutti and its digital marketplace that connects event space owners with the creatives wishing to book them.

UK-based and got a business idea with a link to colour or colouration? A new investment fund from The Dyers' Company is well worth a look.
Published on: 1st March 2021
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.







- Leading French Travel Co. Offers Mentoring to two UK startups on its prestigious two-month programme 23rd Jan 2023 High-potential social impact startups from the UK sought for the 9th annual Les Tremplins by Voyage Privé programme.
- Small businesses need new model for growth in recession 23rd Jan 2023 Small Business Britain’s ‘How to Grow’ report outlines how small businesses are responding to economic challenges and how they can grow during recession.
- Tech Nation responds to the DCMS Digital Growth Grant announcement 20th Jan 2023 Tech Nation shares an overview of the impact they have had on the UK's tech economy and ecosystem.
- Colour/dyeing industries- seed capital investment fund launches for UK entrepreneurs 19th Jan 2023 UK-based and got a business idea with a link to colour or colouration? A new investment fund from The Dyers' Company is well worth a look.