The business world is a tough place, especially when you’re just starting out. A group of Coleg Gwent students recently took part in a national competition to see if they had what it takes to make it big in business.
The group of business studies students at Coleg Gwent’s Pontypool Campus took part in a national entrepreneurial competition run by Enterprise UK and were among just 240 out of 4,800 entries awarded the High Impact Badge of Honour for having a ‘positive and lasting impact’ on participants.
Students took part in the Enterprise UK Make Your Make with a Tenner Challenge during National Entrepreneurship Week in November. Enterprise UK, run by Peter Jones (Dragon’s Den), gave 30 students an interest free £10 loan per student to invest in a business idea for the month of March.
From initial planning to the practical reality the budding entrepreneurs put their ideas into practice, setting up and running a student shop, car washing service, T-shirt printing business and Easter egg sales. Some students also organised an on-board snack service during a study visit to Berlin.
Business lecturer Kelly Young said: “The group have done very well and we are all very proud of the initiative and talent they have shown throughout the competition. Although they didn’t win overall, it’s been a great opportunity for them to learn about setting up and running a profitable business and students are delighted to be recognised for their efforts with the High Impact Badge of Honour.”
Students paid the £10 loan back to Enterprise UK at the end of March and groups were judged by Enterprise UK on their creativity, profit making and social focus.
