On Thursday, October 17, exactly two weeks before the Brexit deadline, Level Three Business students from South West College hosted a non-political student conference where they presented some of the key facts around how student life, and life in general, is likely to be impacted by Brexit.
Opening the conference on behalf of her fellow business student colleagues Zanda Rektina said: “South West College is the most westerly and one of the most rurally located Colleges of Further and Higher Education in the United Kingdom. 
“Considering our location, catchment area in the border region and diverse student population, we stand to experience some of the biggest effects from the whole Brexit scenario.”
During the conference, a number of students led presentations on areas that they believe will be impacted by Brexit including Agriculture and Agri-food, Business and Cross Border Trade, Tourism and Hospitality and Student Life. Leading a presentation on Agriculture and Agri-food, Craig Humes highlighted how dairy farmers will be one of the main farming groups to be “struck by Brexit”.
“2.4 billion litres of milk are collected from across Northern Irish farms each year. 35 per cent of this milk produced is then exported south to be processed. 
“This could make life extremely difficult for farmers if export tariffs are to be introduced,” Craig shared, adding that Dr. Mike Johnston, Chief Executive of the Dairy Council Northern Ireland believes that milk prices could drop by 10 pence per litre should a no-deal Brexit proceed with such excessive tariffs announced.
“In my opinion, to put it quite simply, dairy farmers will not survive in Fermanagh unless there is a deal,” commented Craig.
In her presentation on Tourism and Hospitality Rebekah Starrett noted how Fermanagh had over 348,000 visitors last year who spent an average of £58.2 million.
“This is a massive amount of money being spent in this local economy. The tourism and hospitality industry here supports 3,524 jobs – one of the biggest employment sectors in the county. 
“If Brexit happens it could mean some businesses may need to let some staff go and leave people without a job,” said Rebekah.
Stating that in her opinion Brexit offers the tourism and hospitality sector many innovative opportunities to potentially grow and expand, Rebekah shared some examples. 
“There has been a rise in ‘staycation’ – the number of UK residents that have been staying and holidaying at home (owing to the fall in the value of the pound) has shown a three per cent rise in 2017 and is continuing to grow; something which would be good for Fermanagh Tourism,” explained Rebekah, who also highlighted how Fermanagh is renowned for its celebrity chefs, award-winning restaurants and local produce which will continue to attract visitors to the County.
Presenting facts on Business and Cross Border Trade, Nicole McFarlane and Oran O’Loughlin shared how Enniskillen has the ‘top performing ASDA store in the UK’ which was the 5th best store in Walmart Worldwide Group in 2009 and that an average shopping trip spend by Republic of Ireland shoppers to Enniskillen is €500 to €700.
“Cross Border trade stands at £6.1 billion for 2017 and Northern Ireland makes up between 10 to 12 per cent of total exports from Ireland to the UK and accounts for seven to eight per cent of imports,” stated Nicole and Oran, adding that the flow of trade between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will depend on what kind of agreement replaces the current one which is free market trade within the EU. Sharing a positive outlook on how Brexit could impact business trade, the students’ stated: “Brexit could actually result in more opportunities in more vibrant markets across the world becoming available. Some argue that Brexit could liberate the UK government to sign fresh trade deals with more dynamic markets outside the EU and therefore bolster trade.”
Whilst presenting his research on how Brexit could impact Student Life, Jordan McClure shared: “Student life is a vital part of growing up where we learn many things. Brexit has taught me the importance of ensuring that my opinion and voice is heard, especially, when I wasn’t the age to vote in the 2016 referendum.”
“Whilst much of what happens around Brexit is beyond our control; one thing for sure is that the potential impact will affect all of our lives. Whatever that may be, it is important that we as students embrace it and make the most of it,” he added.
Will Greenaway closed the conference by reiterating the potential benefits that could come from Brexit and potential concerns that leaving the EU could have on us in Northern Ireland and especially in Fermanagh.
“Our generation of students represent the future of Northern Ireland; we are potentially the next generation of business leaders, health care workers and entrepreneurs. 
“Brexit is the biggest challenge that we will likely face in our lifetime – embrace it and make your voice heard!” he concluded.