Young Enterprise

Young Enterprise Company Programme provides a real-life learning opportunity that introduces young people to the realities of the world of work.

Students set up and run their own student company. They make all the decisions about their business, from deciding on their company name and product to managing the company finances. Students can promote and sell to the public through pop up shops and the online store, YE Trading Station.

Participants gain the practical business experience, adaptability, entrepreneurial mindset and employability skills needed to secure successful futures.

Step-by-step guidance is available through the dedicated online platform, Company Connect, which has videos and resources to support students to run their student company. Company Programme supports students to gain confidence, practical know-how and attributes to prepare for the world of work. By taking part in an online self-assessment, students will also receive a certificate to evidence the skills they have developed throughout the programme.

The Competition

As part of the competition, our teams take part in a ‘Pitch to the Panel’ event where our students have to deliver an online live presentation and answer questions relating to their business idea. Our students have also taken part in the Trafford Centre Trade Fair. This is a fantastic chance for students to practice sales skills and use the opportunity to market themselves and their product or service and generate some sales in one of Greater Manchester’s most popular shopping centres.

In recent years, our teams have progressed through the Local Showcase and the Greater Manchester Final, even reaching the North West Final – the furthest that Blue Coat has ever reached in the competition!

Recently we have been fortunate enough to receive a visit from Young Enterprise CEO Sharon Davies, and from the YE Board of Trustees, Chris Slater.

Our Young Enterprise participants discussed their business ideas and plans for the upcoming competition, and received some great feedback.