Young budding entrepreneurs from Herts take part in enterprise skills challenge at the btc
Recently, the Business and Technology Centre, the btc, in Stevenage hosted an event to inspire young budding local entrepreneurs across Hertfordshire.
Hertfordshire based young person support and assistance initiative, The Young Commissioners, turned a btc meeting room into a start-up laboratory as they took part in a ‘start-up your own business’ education event.
The Young Commissioners, a part of Youth Connexions, is a Hertfordshire County Council initiative designed to include young people, in equal partnership with the council, to co-produce local service delivery.
Last week, students from schools across Hertfordshire met to develop business ideas and explore the world of self-employment.
Students were divided into two teams which competed against each other and presented their business ideas in a ‘Dragons Den’ style challenge. Each team came up with a business idea, business name, logo and identity and then pitch their idea to a panel of expert judges.
One judge commented: “I thought the ideas were exceptional. They were well thought out, well presented and even sought to answer some of the major issues that we are facing in today’s world, such as the environment.”
The business start-up event was delivered by award-winning social enterprise, Wenta, who support and advise people considering, starting or growing their own business. Part of Wenta’s mission is to help young people discover self-employment as a viable option when leaving school.
Head of Training and Events at Wenta, Sharon Gaffney, commented:
“Working with the Young Commissioners really demonstrates the level of intelligence and ambition that exists in the young people of Hertfordshire. The students were insightful, keen and came up with some brilliant business ideas. This event illustrates the appetite that exists for entrepreneurialism in Hertfordshire.”
“We love working with schools, universities and support groups for young people. Inspiring enterprise in the next generation of business owners is at the heart of what we do at Wenta and we would encourage anyone who is interested in educating young people about business to get in touch with us.”
The winners of the event were ‘Enviro Bags’, who’s business idea was to produce environmentally friendly jute handbags and shopping bags, with 10% of their profits going to charities that regenerate the Amazonian rainforest.
Kushal, 17, attended the sessions and said: “It was a fantastic day full of experience! I personally learnt that anyone can come up with good ideas but if it is not presentable, then people may not take your idea into account”.
Jacqueline Gear, Senior Commissioning Manager at Hertfordshire Country Council said:
“Working with the btc and Wenta has been highly beneficial for The Young Commissioners. Learning and understanding essential business skills is a key part of their education in preparing for work in a local authority. The students loved the training and found the content fun, relevant and highly interesting.”
If you’re interested in running an educational event centered around business and enterprise skills, get in touch with Wenta today at www.wenta.co.uk