Local Entrepreneurs Offer Insights and Inspiration to SERC Students 

Students at SERC Bangor, Lisburn and Newtownards Campuses have been offered inspiration from local entrepreneurs who have visited the college to share their experiences of starting up a business. A series of events were delivered under the umbrella of the Go Succeed initiative, and were designed to promote the idea of self- employment and also outline what support is available.  

The Bangor and Newtownards talks took the form of student focus groups and were supported by Ards and North Down Borough Council. Hair and beauty students heard from Lauren Montgomery, hair and make-up artist, while media and music production students met Phil Johnston from Sonic Academy.  

On Newtownards Campus, former SERC apprentice Chris Clarke told apprentices and trainees from a range of skill areas how his training and education pathway led him to set up his successful property development business.   

Business students on SERC Lisburn Campus attended an event hosted at the college by Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council as part of Go Succeed in the Community. Entrepreneur Tina Calder of Excalibur Press facilitated the discussions, and introduced guest speakers Ruth Young of Ruthless Media, Tony McCorry of Barkelicious Bakes, and Martina Crawford from the Lisburn Enterprise Organisation.  

Go Succeed is a programme running in partnership across all 11 councils in Northern Ireland, offering support and advice to existing and potential entrepreneurs.  

Main picture:  Business students at SERC Lisburn Campus with local entrepreneurs at the Go Succeed in the Community  event hosted by Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council recently.   l-r Tony McCorry, Barkelicious Bakes, with Maggie the Newfoundland; Gemma McCaughley Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council; SERC student Max Kearney; Martina Crawford, Lisburn Enterprise Organisation; SERC student Zach Caldwell, Gary Millar from SERC Business Services; SERC student Peter Duff; Ruth Young from Ruthless Media. 

Gallery: 1 Brickwork apprentices and trainees at SERC Newtownards Campus with (front row l-r) Irwin Abraham from Ards and North Down Borough Council; Chris Clarke; SERC tutor William Kane 

 2 SERC Bangor Campus staff and students with visiting speaker Lauren Montgomery (front row, second right) and Irwin Abraham from Ards and North Down Borough Council (back row, second right)