Students studying towards their BTEC Extended Diploma in Business at Weston College have put their skills to the test in a real life ‘Apprentice’ style challenge in a project set by Weston Hospicecare.
Weston College Business learners have been putting their knowledge and skills to the test in an Business Enterprise Challenge. Eleven groups of Business learners have been competing in the challenge where eleven local business leaders are mentoring each group. The business mentors have given their group of learners a £50 investment, to help set up and run their own real life business. They have also provided their groups with expert business insights and advice, which has been invaluable to the learners.
Each group are required to source products, develop a pricing strategy, marketing campaign and sell the products to their target consumers, with the ultimate aim of raising the most profit. 100% of the profits earned as part of the challenge will go to Weston Hospicecare.
Learners were kindly allocated a space in the Sovereign Centre to sell their products to members of the public which has allowed them to demonstrate their leadership, negotiation, customer service, sales and team working skills.
Emma, Business Leader for Weston College, said: “Participating in a project like this has allowed me to develop so many skills in sales, finance, teamwork and making decisions under pressure. It’s great to do something outside of our college lessons with my peers, because it provides so many different opportunities and it has been great fun. We really benefitted from having a retail space in the Sovereign Centre. Also having a Business Mentor for the project, has given us a great opportunity to network, but also to gain regular feedback from someone who is an expert in the real world. Her kind support has allowed us to raise lots of money for Weston Hospicecare and she has provided us with lots of opportunities for the future. It was a brilliant experience and I would love to do something like this again in the future.”
Ben Melhuish, Subject Area Manager for Business, said “The Enterprise Challenge has put the students’ business acumen to the test and enabled them to polish their professional presence as they engaged with the business world around them. I am extremely proud of their achievements and overwhelmed with their performance to date. We even had the Mayor come and visit the learners yesterday to offer his support.”
Sue Kingman, Weston Hospicecare’s Corporate Fundraising Manager, says “A huge thank you to all the businesses who have supported the students raise money for the hospice in this wonderful project.
“We have loved being part of it and hope to make it an annual event.”
Each group will now go head to head at the final awards ceremony in the New Year, where the winners of each award category will be announced and the overall winners will be revealed.