A record number of students in West Berkshire will be taking part in the 2017 Young Enterprise Business Challenge starting in September.
Young Enterprise West Berkshire (YEWB), the local arm of the national charity dedicated to helping youngsters understand business through experience, is organising the programme which runs until March 2018.
In that time, students from St Bartholomews, St Gabriels, Newbury College, Park House, The Downs, Down House, Little Heath, Theale Green and Willink will organise themselves by developing a business plan to form a company to create and develop a product which they will then market and sell.
It is a challenging task but made easier by having a Business Adviser from Young Enterprise on hand to provide guidance, motivation and a touch of inspirational support.
Could you be that Business Adviser?
Young Enterprise West Berkshire is offering the opportunity to more local business people to become involved. Clare Kirk, Chair of YEWB says, “We have an excellent group of experienced volunteer Business Advisers, who come from all points of the business spectrum, but we want more local people to join us to provide even more inspirational support to local youngsters. The commitment is probably totals around 30 hours during the six month programme. We provide training and support to all Business Advisers who also gain a lot from the experience.”
Vicki Kyle-Lawrence, MD of Clere Bookkeeping Services, has been a YE Business Adviser for many years. She says, “I know what it takes to launch a new enterprise and jumped at the opportunity to help entrepreneurs of the future. However the benefits are mutual and every year I learn more about how the younger generation identify business development through the use of social media, fashion and ecommerce as a norm rather than an alternative to trading activities. To any business person thinking they would like to get involved then my advice is to do so, as it is a rewarding activity and certainly gives a fresh outlook on how our future business world is developing.”
If you would like to know more about becoming a volunteer Business Adviser then contact YEWB Board Member Geoff Knappett for an informal discussion. His e-mail is [email protected]
