Students who have completed the YESS Business Basics Course run by YESS Foundation-UK will be celebrated at a special Graduation Ceremony at Trinity Hall in Aberdeen on Saturday August 29 2026.
Over the 17-week course, these students have gained real-world business and personal development skills while exploring entrepreneurship and their own ideas for the future.
The programme has been delivered online by YESS Facilitator Tracy Franz, founder of Aberdeen-based Spiral Lotus Studios, with students taking part from Aberdeen and further afield.
Four students have confirmed they will attend the Graduation Ceremony in Aberdeen, where they will celebrate their achievements alongside their families, members of the local business community and other young people interested in discovering more about the YESS Programme.
YESS Facilitator Tracy Franz said: “It has been such a privilege to take these young people through the YESS programme and watch their confidence grow as they’ve challenged themselves and developed their ideas. This Graduation is about giving them a moment to stop and recognise just how much they have achieved. I’m incredibly proud of them, and I’m also so grateful to the Aberdeen business community for getting behind us and helping us make the day something really special.”
The Lord and Lady Provost of Aberdeen have accepted an invitation to attend the Graduation Ceremony.
Jamie Hutcheon, Entrepreneur, Dragon’s Den winner and Director at DYW Northeast, will join the celebration as Guest Speaker, sharing his own entrepreneurial journey.
Ian MacIntosh, Deacon Convener of The Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen, has generously provided Trinity Hall as the venue for the Graduation.
Andrew Smith of KLT Networking is sponsoring refreshments for the event.
James Muirson, Professional Photographer, is sponsoring the photography and videography, helping capture this special occasion for the students and their families.
Debbie Rennie of Instinct Marketing PR has also pledged her support for the Graduation.
As well as celebrating the graduating students, the event will give other young people aged 12 to 22 the opportunity to meet YESS students, facilitators and members of the business community and find out more about the free programme and what they could achieve through YESS.
Young people, their families and members of the Aberdeen business community are warmly invited to attend the Graduation Ceremony.
Those wishing to attend can register here: https://buff.ly/DIjQKej