TransitionTimes: The winners of this year's Student Innovation Awards found a profitable niche in CDs, writes Louise Holden

They probably didn't set out expecting to make much money, but by the time a group of transition-year students at Midleton CBS, in Co Cork, scooped first prize at the RDS Student Innovation Awards yesterday, they had made more than €750 by producing and marketing a CD of local bands.

Enterprise study is one of the most important experiences of transition year. The opportunity to set up a business and succeed, or fail, gives many students a vision of how they might shape life after school. Most transition-year students get involved in a mini-company; thousands do it through Junior Achievement Ireland.

The organisation's company programme draws on the expertise of Irish businesspeople, challenging successful entrepreneurs and business types to take a new risk with the next generation. There is no shortage of volunteers.

Paula Cahill, a human-resources manager with the computer company Oracle, was on this year's Junior Achievement judging panel. She claims to have got more from the experience than the students did. "I have no problem addressing 600 staff members at a company meeting, but it took a serious leap of confidence to get up in front of a classful of students," she says. "I have been amazed at just how confident and capable these transition years are compared to the way I was in school. I would never have had the nerve to go door to door selling something I had made myself. I am bowled over by the innovation and determination I have seen in this year's competition."

More than 3,000 students entered this year's RDS Student Innovation Awards competition, which was open to everyone who took part in the company programme. The entries were whittled down to five, who competed against each other at Monday's national final, at the RDS. Each company was assessed on the strength of a business report, a trade display, an interview and a five-minute video, as well as the product or service offered.

"We were looking for a package of elements in our winner," says Cahill. "Whether or not they produced a fabulous product or turned a big profit was just part of it. We were also looking for companies that had taken risks. We favoured students that made a real attempt to find a gap in the market and fill it. We looked for evidence that they had engaged with the open market and not just other students in the school.

"We wanted to hear all about fights with suppliers, internecine disputes and monumental mistakes. We wanted to see that these students had felt the pain that real companies feel. That way we know they really learned something."

The Midleton group, who called themsevles Open Forum Productions, targeted an audience of east Cork music lovers and those interested in up-and-coming musical talent in the area. The group turned a profit of €760.50.

According to Alva O'Sullivan of Junior Achievers Ireland, Open Forum got to the final because its preparation was so thorough and because its product was original and desirable. "Following extensive market research, Open Forum Productions discovered a niche market interested in local music. They also approached a new music store in Midleton, Cork Rocks, who agreed to sell their product. They also had success stocking their CD in Plugged Records. By early February 2004, Open Forum Productions had sold 100 CDs at a profit of €1,000."

The Midleton students secured sponsorship from a number of local businesses, including Cork Rocks and Peter Maloney Pianos. They also worked with a local recording studio, Freedom Studios. Their experience brought them into contact with a number of community business interests, another boon for the judges.

Puzzle Productions, a company from Royal School Cavan, produced a range of wooden jigsaws for children. They designed and manufactured the product at school, which is not always the best approach, but in this case the result was of a very high standard. The reason, according to Alva O'Sullivan, was the amount of time and planning that went into the manufacturing process.

Students at the Royal School made a profit of €5.50 on each jigsaw, which they sold at a craft fair in Cavan, as well as marketing directly to local schools and creches. The students turned a profit of €242.99.

Aishling na Realtai of Maynooth Post-Primary School, in Co Kildare, produced a calendar using photographs taken around the town. The company produced 250 calendars, selling them at a local supermarket, parent-teacher-association meetings, a Christmas carol service and, of course, in the school itself. Aishling na Realtai turned a profit of €210.

St Dominic's College in Cabra set up a company called Wax Works, to design and manufacture candles and holders. The students used recycled materials for the holders and paid considerable attention to details such as health-and-safety regulations. So far the students have marketed their candles within the school; now they plan to expand into the local community. So far Wax Works has made €33.

The Ursuline College in Sligo sold hot-drinks gift sets under the company name Indulgence. Its product, which was aimed at the festive market, turned a profit of €261.73 in the two months before Christmas.

If your school would like to get involved in next year's Student Innovation Awards competition, contact Junior Achievers at 01-2366644 or info@ juniorachievement.ie