In 2004, the Northside Partnership area was appointed as the pilot area in which the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), an innovative enterprise training programme, would be implemented.

The National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship is a worldwide body that was founded in the United States in 1987. It's objective is to teach the principles of entrepreneurship to young people from low-income communities in order to enhance their economic productivity by improving their business, academic and life skills.

Students from schools which serve areas with lower than average rates of educational achievement, have participated in the NFTE initiative.

In the NFTE classes all aspects of setting up a business are taught - i.e. developing a marketing plan, how to sell and develop a product or service, financial control and business planning. Students are also exposed to entrepreneurs and business people from the local area. Entrepreneurs come in to give talks to the students about how their business idea developed, how they run their business today, and their plans for the future.

All students that take part in the NFTE programme attain a certificate.

In addition, every year all student companies are encouraged to enter two competitions:

The NFTE Ireland Business Plan Awards - the winners of this competition will collect a cash prize and certificate.

The NFTE International Business Plan Awards - the winners of this international competition are invited to New York to showcase their product or service and meet other budding entrepreneurs from around the world. Two students from Colaiste Dhulaigh were recently awarded the International Business Plan at this event.