Teenagers learn key business skills
Holiday challenge with workplace tasks
Aspiring young business tycoons took part in an entrepreneurial programme.
The Inspiring Enterprise Challenge, supported by Bright Yellow Thinking and South Lanarkshire Council’s planning and economic development services department, received £5000 from UK Steel Enterprise (UKSE), a Tata Steel subsidiary.
The programme is aimed at school pupils aged 15 to 17, including youngsters from East Kilbride, and was established six years ago to promote enterprise and business start-up.
Based on the BBC programme ‘The Apprentice’, the participants work on challenges set by local businesses.
Throughout the two-week programme the young people were awarded points for things like creativity, teamwork and decisionmaking.
This year’s tasks included designing a new product for local biscuit manufacturer Border Biscuits, a fundraising challenge for Kilbryde Hospice and an entrepreneurial challenge at Scottish Gas.
UKSE’s funding helped support participants’ transport to business venues, laptops to work on and prizes for the winners.
The challenge runs during the school summer holidays.Students gain knowledge of how businesses work and develop the skills that are required in the workplace.
UKSE regional manager Anne Clyde said: “It’s fantastic to see the Inspiring Enterprise Challenge enter another year.
“It’s a great initiative that prepares young people to enter the world of business, teaching them the skills that they may not have the chance to learn at school.
“We are proud to support such an entrepreneurial programme and hope it continues in the future.”
Helen Salt of Bright Yellow Thinking said: “The programme allows young people to develop their business skills, learn how to negotiate and understand how businesses can grow.
“It’s had enormous success, with one candidate starting an interior design company following her success in the programme in 2014.”