At the tender age of 11, Hamish is already showing the signs of being a business-minded young man. 

Hamish looks after 26 chickens at his grandfather's farm and sells the eggs his feathered friends lay each day. 

It may seem a simple enough concept, but I don't recall myself or any of my friends being so entrepreneurial when we were younger. 

There’s no doubt these are the ideas and projects that instil a superb work ethic in young people. 

In today’s day and age that is something all children can benefit from. 

Far too many children, not so much in the country, but in metropolitan areas seem to live a sheltered life where feeding chooks and collecting their eggs each day would absolutely terrify some. 

While Hamish has learned plenty of responsibility, what he might not know yet, is these skills will accompany him for the rest of his school life and when he enters the work force. 

Young people should be given responsibilities from a young age or the nation risks a work force that can’t handle taking on too much. 

That already seems to be the trend some some. 

Obviously many students work hard to get where they are, but if they don’t have any real life experience, it’s not going to be easy for them. 

Understandably, some may see the idea of taking care of chickens and earning some pocket money as a bit of a stretch when it comes to being an adult in the work force later in life.

It’s really not.

Those young people that have an after school job will always be miles ahead the pack when it comes to applying for a full-time job.

They understand what it’s like to be courteous, dress appropriately and get a job done under certain time constraints.

Those that haven’t experienced the work force from a young age aren’t doing themselves any favours or their potential employers in the future.  

Hopefully Leeton can continue to provide these part-time jobs for enthusiastic young people, who will benefit from this experience in no time and in the many years to come.