Young innovators build real-world solutions at Northern Regional College

Northern Regional College students behind the The Beauty Wheel project

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, in collaboration with Northern Regional College, is helping nurture the next generation of business innovators through its Go Succeed Community Outreach initiative.

As part of a regional effort to embed entrepreneurial thinking among young people, Go Succeed has delivered a series of innovation-driven workshops and ideation camps to students across Northern Regional College.

The initiative is designed to spark creativity, develop problem-solving skills, and challenge students to deliver practical, real-world solutions to social and industry-related issues.

Students took part in expert-led sessions featuring guidance from facilitators, mentors, and local business leaders. These events culminated in the development of a range of innovative business concepts, four of which – The Beauty Wheel, Smartbox Medication, Accessibility Desk, and the CABT App – were selected for further development.

These standout concepts received full funding and development support from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council through Go Succeed, including the creation of fully operational prototypes.

Northern Regional College students behind the Smartbox Medication project

The College partnered with Northern Ireland-based product development firm Demanu, whose Microfactory enabled the student ideas to come to life in just one week.

The company used a blend of cutting-edge techniques, including CNC machining, powder coating, laser cutting, and electronic programming, to produce professional-grade, sustainable prototypes ready for testing.

Commenting on the initiative, Alderman William McCaughey, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, said:

“The Councils are keen to ensure that entrepreneurial skills and ambitions are embedded from a young age to encourage and support future entrepreneurs and develop creativity and innovation in the talent pipeline.

“Through the Go Succeed service, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is delighted to be able to deliver outreach activity alongside our partners in Causeway Coast and Glens, Mid Ulster, and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Councils, and are committed to working closely with Northern Regional College.

“The College shares our geographical footprint and our ambition to inspire the next generation of innovators and business leaders.”

Following the successful prototyping phase, the student-led projects advanced to Northern Regional College’s internal Project-Based Learning (PBL) competition, held at the College’s Causeway Campus.

With nearly 200 students competing across Level 2 and Level 3 courses, the event showcased an array of inventive and thoughtful ideas.

Among the winners, The Beauty Wheel clinched the top prize in the Level 2 category, praised for its emphasis on sustainability and efficiency within the beauty industry.

Northern Regional College students behind the Accessibility Desk project.

The Accessibility Desk secured the Level 3 award, while Smartbox Medication, an electronic device programmed to dispense medication safely and on time, received a Special Recognition award for its practical approach to medication management.

Mel Higgins, Principal and Chief Executive of Northern Regional College, remarked:

“It was a privilege to attend and judge the recent competition at Northern Regional College. Seeing our students apply their knowledge to real-world problems and push the boundaries of creativity was truly inspiring. These experiences don’t just teach skills—they shape futures.

“Congratulations to all who took part and special thanks to our PBL staff team for their commitment to delivering such a dynamic and valuable initiative.”

The Beauty Wheel will now represent Northern Regional College at the Further Education Sector Final at Southern Regional College (SRC) in Armagh on Wednesday 22 May.

Meanwhile, Smartbox Medication continues to attract interest from external partners exploring opportunities for development and commercial testing.

Go Succeed is Northern Ireland’s free enterprise support service, offering tailored advice and practical assistance for individuals at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey. The programme is backed by the UK Government and delivered through Northern Ireland’s eleven local councils.

For more information on Go Succeed, including how to access support or register, visit www.go-succeed.com.

To explore course offerings at Northern Regional College, spanning business, health and social care, beauty therapy, hospitality and more, visit www.nrc.ac.uk, or follow the College on social media for updates on events, enrolment, and future initiatives.