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Birkenhead students to
experience running a business in bid to inspire next generation of entrepreneurs
SCHOOL students in Birkenhead are to be
given the chance to start and run businesses as part of a scheme to highlight
vocational training and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.
The scheme, focusing on 6 schools in disadvantaged areas in Birkenhead, East
Ham, Bristol, Chatham, Arfon and Edinburgh is being launched by the Federation
of Small Businesses (FSB) and the Young Enterprise, the UK's leading enterprise
and financial education charity.
The students will receive a share of £9000 in funding provided by the FSB as
they embark on Young Enterprise's Company Programme, receiving mentoring to help
them better understand the world of business from seasoned FSB professionals
from their local communities.
John Allan, National Chairman of Federation of Small Businesses and Vice
Chairman of the FSB's Merseyside, West Cheshire and Wigan region, said:-
"We are thrilled to be working with Young Enterprise and the next generation of
entrepreneurs on this project.
This partnership is crucial because businesses are concerned that young people
are not prepared for the world of work. Engaging with employers, education
providers and young people is a proven way to remedy this.
Research has proven that if a pupil has four or more interactions with a
business while at school, they are five times more likely to find themselves in
education or training after school. If we want to develop the next
generation of small business owners which will help carry the UK economy
forward, then schemes like the company programme are important in showing that
vocational learning is a valid and beneficial path offering long term career
prospects."
FSB Wirral Chairman Clive Marshall, Of TaxAssist Accountants Wirral, said:-
"With the right skills and support business ownership can be an exciting and
rewarding career path and the importance of vocational learning to equipping
young people for the world of work should not be underestimated. The
process of selecting a Birkenhead school to take part in the project is underway
and I am looking forward to working with the students to help inspire and assist
the next generation of entrepreneurs. This is about giving these young people
the opportunity to be the master of their own destinies."
Frank Field, the MP for Birkenhead, welcomed the project. He said:- "This
is great news for Birkenhead. The project is a brilliant way of trying to teach
some important life skills to our young people."
The aim is to excite and educate the students and develop their passion and
ambition for entrepreneurship, the world of work and vocational education. This
will help them understand what it takes to become the next generation of
successful business people.
The Federation's commitment to the work of Young Enterprise will see FSB small
business owners volunteering their time and years of experience to help students
start and develop their own businesses or social enterprises. Each business will
last for the academic year and students will be responsible for everything from
design concept to selling, marketing strategies and financial planning.
Michael Mercieca, Chief Executive of Young Enterprise, said:- "We are
proud to be working in partnership with the FSB to ensure that more young people
leave education ready for the world of work. Business-based education provides a
sound environment for the learning of enterprise, financial and life skills at
an early age. With this in place, we will see fewer young people falling through
the cracks of the education system and more approaching the job market with the
skills employers are looking for." |
