Member Article

School pupils engage with business across Durham

A new programme aimed at giving young people more skills to better equip them for work is being taken up in schools across East Durham.

The Young Enterprise programme will see more than 800 students and volunteers learning new skills that will hopefully help them to succeed in their chosen career path.

Five schools will take part in the project with pupils aged between six and 13-years-old.

Homes and communities business livin provided £9,500 in funding to support the programme from its livin community fund grant alongside East Durham Rural Corridor AAP which provided £7,000, the schools allocated £3,200 and Young Enterprise £9,500.

Alan Boddy, executive director, people and communities for livin, said: “The Young Enterprise programme is a tried and tested method that really works.

“Statistics show that pupils that take part in the programme are twice as likely to start their own business in the future and increases future earnings compared to peers that do not take part.

“Educational attainment in some of our communities is poor and this programme will help us to target these communities and offer additional support and opportunities to young people that need it most.”

As part of the programme, volunteers from the business community run workshops with the children who design and build a city, learning what it takes to create successful and sustainable communities using employment and businesses as a catalyst.

Tania Dodd, from Sedgefield Primary School, said: “The programme was delivered extremely well. Resources are super and appropriate to the age group.”

Sedgefield Community College also delivered Learn to Earn sessions as part of the programme which help students understand the economic benefits of staying in education, and the advantage of lifelong learning to earning and career potential.

Jonathan Briggs, from Sedgefield Community College, added: “It was very informative – a lot of information helped students to appreciate budgeting and the importance of education/qualifications. Practical activities were excellent.”

Jane Bellis, AAP coordinator for the East Durham Rural Corridor, said: “All of the children got very much involved and seemed to enjoy what they were learning.

“I was particularly pleased to see children who have difficulty engaging with mainstream activities taking part. In my view, a very worthy project.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .