SIT Accounting Tutor, Kay McKinnel, volunteers as a judge in the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) to fly the flag for SIT and encourage local young people on their learning journey.
Kay McKinnel has clocked up around 22 years as a teacher, starting at SIT on the Business Team as a part-time Accounting Tutor while she raised a family, then opting for a change, she headed to Southland Boys’ High School to be a secondary school teacher in the same subject.
Mrs McKinnel says the first year was tough, juggling work as a part-time Accountant for Southland Boys and training to be a teacher as well, but she did it, and taught Accounting in a full-time teaching position for six years there, where she was also the Young Enterprise Scheme teacher.
The Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) has functioned in New Zealand for 42 years, operating with a commitment to inspire young people to discover their potential in business and in life through advancing entrepreneurship. The scheme connects with over 85% of NZ secondary schools to bring financial capability and enterprise into the classroom, giving students a taste for business through programmes and events that are tailored to suit a variety of themes and industries.
When she decided to return to teaching at SIT four years ago, Mrs McKinnel was invited to become a judge for the YES Southland entries. As she knew the programme it seemed like a good idea to stay involved. “YES runs an amazing programme for Year 12 and 13 students… SIT is a sponsor of YES... it fits well…” The role entails attending the mid-year pitches to judge the entries; “Sometimes I mentor teams to give them a hand, and I’m at the judging at the end of the year.”
Mrs McKinnel enjoys her role as judge. “It’s awesome seeing what young people are coming up with; it’s actually quite inspiring.” She adds that it’s also a way for her to give back to the community. “It’s run by the Southland Chamber of Commerce. [Their] involvement here is awesome. It’s giving back to them. They do a lot for the business community,” she explains.
After the judging, Mrs McKinnel provides individual feedback to the teams on what they’ve done well and what they could improve on. She has empathy for participating students. “It’s pretty scary standing up in front of people” as they present their ideas.
“There’s always one team every year that’s amazing. Last year it was Aparima College.” Treet Yourself Contracting comprised of Aparima College students, Caleb Diprose and Brodie Murdoch, who won the top prize at the national finals.
This year’s regional winner, Millie McFadzien of St Peter’s College, Gore, is the founder of The Lost Larder, who launched a refined, Waituna New Zealand eel pâté, co-developed with Southland Chef, Ethan Flack. She will go on to represent Southland at the national finals in December.
Mrs McKinnel emphasised the students must go through the whole process of running a business, from their initial business plan, consents, funding their idea, to financial statements. “It is preferable teams solve a problem; that’s part of the package. What problem are you trying to solve? This is the start point.”
And students often pull out all the stops with marketing their product. “They get other students to help… they use Instagram and Facebook, they go to farmers’ markets, they try to get an influencer.”
She also noted that it’s not unusual for the businesses to continue after the students have left school. “Treet Yourself Contracting are still running their business while at varsity.”
In her current role at SIT, Mrs McKinnel says she likes seeing the growth in the person as they progress through their studies. “… I see them from year one to finishing their degree and off out working.” And she also enjoyed connecting with the students who achieved their degrees while working in local accounting businesses. “We have really good relationships with accounting firms. What we’re teaching is quite practical, so we also get to see those students grow in their roles in the firms.”
Mrs McKinnel found it inspiring to be involved with innovation and young people. “And I get a nice, feel-good night with the community. I do enjoy it… It’s the joy of helping students through that journey.”