Carrickfergus based social enterprise Carrickfergus Enterprise are celebrating their 40th Anniversary this year.
Based at Meadowbank Road, Carrickfergus the original company was set up in August 1981 to address the mass job losses in the borough through the closure of a number of major employers including ICI, Courtaulds and Carreas.
To mark this key milestone, the organisation is planning a series of activities across the year. The Jobs for the Future competition was launched in April 2022 with entry forms distributed to primary schools throughout Mid and East Antrim.
The challenge was to create a new job pupils would love to do in 40 years’ time.
Over 300 entries were received, and the judging panel were impressed with the creativity and imagination of the budding artists who entered.
Judges considered the quality of design as well as the job concept and its place in the future. Designs ranged from space delivery drivers, flying shoes and face transplanter.
Kelli McRoberts, Manager at Carrickfergus Enterprise said:
“Originally we were looking to identify one winner, however the quality of the artwork was so high we picked two winners and two runners-up”.
The overall winners were Alexandra Brown and Anna Rea from Broughshane Primary School and runners up Katherine Nelson from Broughshane Primary School and Emma Calderwood from Rasharkin Primary School.
The winning designs included a Wildlife Preserver to protect forest and animals (Anna Rea) and Sea Cleaner to clean sea by removing plastic (Alexandra Brown).
Kelli McRoberts and her colleague Alan Hamilton recently surprised the winners at their schools, to present them with their prizes.
All winners’ work will be printed and displayed at Carrickfergus Enterprise head office.
Further events are planned including an Anniversary dinner later this year.
For further information contact Kelli McRoberts kelli@ceal.co.uk.