Member Article

North East colleges recognised by Peter Jones academy

Two North East colleges have been granted ‘hub’ status by the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy, in recognition of their work in developing young entrepreneurs.

Enterprise will inform an increasing part of the colleges’ curriculum, with new qualifications designed by the Dragon’s Den star.

The Enterprise Academy was founded by Peter Jones CBE, with the aim to encouraging more entrepreneurial activity within the UK, based on a philosophy of ‘learning by doing.’

Robin Ghurbhurun, Deputy Principal at Newcastle College, said: “To be named as a north east hub for the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy is a massive coup and testament to our commitment to develop and support the next generation of entrepreneurs.

“Newcastle College is committed to embedding enterprise across the curriculum to support and empower young people to be entrepreneurial and develop their own business ideas.

“Small businesses and start-ups make a huge contribution to our economy, creating jobs, growth and investment.

Newcastle College shares the academy’s ethos of learning by doing and we hope this partnership will inspire and support many more people to develop their skills and ideas into sustainable enterprises.“

Angela O’Donoghue, Principal at Sunderland College said: “The Peter Jones Enterprise Academy is a really exciting initiative that teaches business skills in a truly practical sense. These courses will allow students to learn from the very best.

“Students can enrol now for courses starting in September and we expect demand for places to be high as Sunderland College will be only one of 35 centres across the country to offer the courses.

“We will be working alongside the BIC (Business Innovation Centre) in Sunderland, which plays host to around 120 small businesses.

“Here students will receive support and will have access to premises, facilities and advice to help shape their business plan from their innovation support specialist.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for young entrepreneurs to develop their ideas and help them grow to become fully fledged businesses contributing to the local and national economy.”

Peter Jones CBE, founder of the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy, added: “With record levels of youth unemployment, I believe it is a priority to inspire more young people across Britain to consider a different career path – an entrepreneurial one.

“Our growing Academy network aims to equip young people with the skills, confidence and experience to unleash the entrepreneur in them.

“I would like to welcome the 18 new colleges to our Academy network - through them we can reach out to more young people in the UK and prepare them for an entrepreneurial future.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .