FSB and Young Enterprise join forces to create a new generation of entrepreneurs
FSB and Young Enterprise join forces to create a new generation of entrepreneurs
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the UK’s leading enterprise and financial education charity Young Enterprise, are teaming up and promoting business-based education to help create the next wave of entrepreneurs.
Teenagers from across the UK in areas including: Birkenhead, East Ham, Bristol, Chatham, Arfon and Edinburgh will be given the chance to become the next generation of business stars. They'll be having a go at running a business and the goal is to highlight the value of vocational education, focusing on six schools in disadvantaged areas.
John Allan, National Chairman of Federation of Small Businesses, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Young Enterprise and the next generation of entrepreneurs on this project.”
Young people will get a share of funding from 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.
The aim is to excite and educate the kids and develop their passion and ambition for 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 FSB’s commitment to the work of Young Enterprise will see FSB small business owners volunteering their time and years of experience to advise students on a business or social enterprise of their own. Each business will last for the academic year and students will be responsible for everything, from design concept to selling, marketing strategies to financial planning.
John Allan, National Chairman of Federation of Small Businesses, added: “This partnership is crucial because businesses are concerned that young people aren’t 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.”
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.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
1) The FSB is the UK's leading business organisation with around 200,000 members. It exists to protect and promote the interests of the UK's Real-Life Entrepreneurs who run their own business. More information is available at www.fsb.org.uk and follow on twitter @fsb_policy. The hashtag #ibacksmallbusiness will be used for this project.
2) The FSB has donated £9000 to Young Enterprise, to deliver the Company Programme in six schools in disadvantaged areas across the country.
3) Young Enterprise has been the FSB’s Official Chairman’s Charity since 2013.
4) Young Enterprise is the UK’s leading enterprise and financial education charity working with young people aged four to 25. Following the recent merger of pfeg into Young Enterprise, they are a specialist ‘one stop shop’ for students and teachers, empowering young people to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need for work and in life.
5) Their extensive network means they are supported by more than 5,000 volunteers and 3,500 businesses in schools, colleges and universities. They also support teachers in 18,000 schools to plan and deliver financial education programmes.
6) For more information on pfeg see www.pfeg.org or email comms@y-e.org.uk or for Young Enterprise see www.young-enterprise.org.uk or email Kate Corry on kate.corry@y-e.org.uk
Media contacts:
Emma Smailes
07917 628918
Emma.Smailes@fsb.org.uk