At a time when teenage wizards in some countries - think of the young techies who set up their own computer companies or that lad in the States who is launching a perfume he developed himself for young teenage males - are making the headlines, a competition for second-level schools in Ireland is trying to uncover our own home-grown young entrepreneurs.

And one of our major food companies, Golden Vale plc, has decided to put its considerable weight behind the Young Entrepreneurs Scheme (YES) with sponsorship for 1999/ 2000.

The scheme is designed to encourage and support students to undertake entrepreneurial activities and, indeed, to make them consider setting up their own businesses as a career option.

More than 8,000 students in 250 schools participated in the scheme last year and an incredible 2,600 businesses were established by students. The scheme is organised by a voluntary committee comprised of teachers, parents and business professionals. A function in Planet Hollywood in Dublin yesterday, where Golden Vale announced its involvement, was a showcase of businesses set up by previous winners and participants, and highlighted how much the future of economic growth lies in the hands of the students of today.