A SYSTEM which uses aircraft technology to help people become better drivers has proved a winner.

And a Logan lad formed part of the team who devised it.

Christopher Leitch is an apprentice with Prestwick Aircraft Maintenance.

And he and his three team mates, who all study at Ayrshire College, were highlighted by the Scottish Institute for Enterprise (SIE) and Young Enterprise Scotland when they announced more support for enterprising college students recently.

The local lads won the Young Innovators Challenge competition which SIE ran earlier this year and celebrated in style with guests from business, academia and the entrepreneurial community at the Young Innovators Challenge 2014 Gala Awards Dinner in Glasgow recently.

The challenge invited modern apprentices, college and university students to submit ideas that generated social value and innovation. This year’s challenge attracted more than 300 entries, half of which were shortlisted and put before an expert judging panel of business leaders. In total, 33 winners were selected, each winning up to £2,500 in funding as well as expert advice to help develop their business ideas.

The Ayrshire boys were the only apprentices amongst the winners, most of whom are university students. The team won a cash prize to develop their idea over the summer through a programme of workshops and one-to-one advice. They took part in an intensive business bootcamp with workshops featuring guest speakers who offered invaluable advice to the young entrepreneurs, helping them to develop business plans from their ideas.

SIE’s enterprise workshop programme will expand and provide more opportunities for college classes to experience enterprise activities. Students will be encouraged to take part in SIE’s national business competitions and access business advisors to help them develop their ideas. Young Enterprise Scotland’s Bridge 2 Business enterprise zones and drop-in centres will act as hubs of activity for both organisations.

Fiona Godsman, Chief Executive of the Scottish Institute for Enterprise said: “This combined approach leverages the strengths of both organisations and means that colleges get the best possible offering.” The partnership between SIE and Bridge 2 Business means that more college students in Scotland will benefit from exposure to enterprise opportunities and support, and be encouraged to start their own businesses after graduation.