With the current economic climate, it is very important that young people are able to nurture essential skills to be enterprising, competitive and encouraged to succeed in their local area.
Over the last few months, over 80 pupils from Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, Penygroes have been given the opportunity to gain invaluable experience of starting a business through the Llwyddo’n Lleol project’s three Entrepreneurship Units.
Llwyddo’n Lleol is an innovative project aimed at helping young people between 11-19 in north-west Wales to develop new ideas and succeed within their local communities. Llwyddo’n Lleol is a £3.8 million project jointly funded by the EU’s Convergence European Social Fund through the Welsh Government, Gwynedd Council and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and the 14-19 Network. The entrepreneurship units are one element of the overall project that also includes the opportunity for young people to develop a business idea further by applying for the Llwyddo’n Lleol bursary and raise awareness of several growth sectors via sector specific events.
Taking part and completing the three entrepreneurship units has provided Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle pupils with the opportunity to learn more about entrepreneurship and business skills by planning an enterprise, running an enterprise and producing a product. As part of the experience the pupils have developed elements such as business name, branding, marketing, customer profiling and were also given the opportunity to produce the products, in this case chocolates and clocks, at Coleg Menai’s innovative facilities. In addition to the various skills and experience gained, the entrepreneurship units are accredited to a BTEC Award in Workskills.
Following the experience, some of the pupils explained “Making the chocolates was cool and I see the importance of working in a team to run a business”, “I now want to run my own business”, “There is a need for a good business plan to really succeed”.
Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle Headteacher, Mr Emyr Hughes explained: “The whole experience of running a business, producing and selling a product has been very valuable for all of the students. Gaining a recognised award as part of the experience is without a doubt an added bonus.”
As part of the third unit, running an enterprise activity, the pupils developed promotion and financial skills to ensure that the products were sold and a profit realised.
Mr John Bryn Owen, Welsh Bacc coordinator at Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle added: ”The reaction from the students was very positive and it was clear that the majority had thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the challenge of running their business to make a profit. A lot of hard work went into completing everything but I believe that all the activities were a great success, especially the opportunity to visit Coleg Menai. The students have enjoyed the experience and developed several skills and have received an accredited award as a result of their efforts. All the work is also very relevant to the Welsh Baccalaureate.”
To receive further information regarding the Llwyddo’n Lleol Entrepreneurship Units in Gwynedd or if you would like to apply for the Llwyddo’n Lleol bursary (up to £1,000 in Gwynedd & Anglesey), please contact Lowri Huws, Menter a Busnes 01248 672633 or [email protected]
