Young Enterprise

In 2005, The Charitable Trust provided funding for the Company Programme and Enterprise in Action Programme within Young Enterprise.

The Company Programme works to give students aged between 15 and 19 the opportunity to set up and run their own company over the course of an academic year. They elect a board of directors from amongst their peers, raise share capital, and market and finance a product or service of their own choice. At the end of the year they present a report and accounts to their shareholders. Students gain experience of the real world: taking responsibility and being accountable to their shareholders for the running of the business.

During their year of trading, Young Enterprise companies have the opportunity to participate in local, national, and in some cases international trade fairs where they can sell their products, market their services, and so boost their sales and marketing experience.

Enterprise in Action is the latest addition to Young Enterprise's suite of programmes and is designed to help young people aged 12 to 15 to develop their enterprise capability through increasing knowledge, enhancing skills and fostering entrepreneurial attitudes. The programme works to inspire young people to consider enterprise as a future career option.

The programme is split into seven sessions running over seven weeks, covering valuable skills which will stay with the students for life, a key part of which is marketing. At each stage of the process the students' understanding of key business and economic concepts is also developed through practical activities and games. Parts five and six charge the students with building the product prototype model and advertising and promotion of the product.

www.young-enterprise.org.uk