Member Article

Rotherham College Receives Funding For Budding Entrepreneurs

Rotherham College has launched an initiative to give students insight into managing a real-life commercial business thanks to funding from UK Steel Enterprise’s 40:40 challenge which marks their 40th anniversary.

The creative project known as ‘Flashback Design’ is aimed at student’s aged 16-18 studying courses at the college - from accountancy to fashion design - to get hands-on experience in the running of the business. Collaborating with Rotherham Youth Enterprise and The Makers Emporium in Rotherham, the college will teach students how to manage financial records and support them in contributing designs to be printed onto blank products as well as ready-to-wear clothing.

Harnessing student creativity for the first time this year, when a range of detailed design briefs will be submitted to Art and Design students under the supervision of a tutor at Rotherham College. The students have a deadline of mid-November to complete these designs and the most suitable ones can then be used to place orders for batches of printed products.

Design briefs will be completed by students at regular intervals throughout the academic year, giving the opportunity to cater for seasonal demands of customers at The Makers Emporium. After the academic year finishes, the project will re-start in September, welcoming new students to take part.

Tata Steel subsidiary UK Steel Enterprise launched the 40:40 challenge earlier this year to mark its 40th anniversary – a pot of £40,000 open to schools and other youth organisations to work with students aged 18 or under. The challenge is part of the overall work UK Steel does in the region, supporting businesses and organisations in steel regions across the UK.

With UK Steel’s support Rotherham College are keen to keep the ‘Flashback Design’ concept sustainable, giving the students the opportunity to increasingly take ownership through additional work experience in product launches, online marketing campaigns, pitching ideas for products and developing their own products to be sold through The Makers Emporium and elsewhere.

Assistant Principal at Rotherham College Ann Hardy is leading the initiative, she said: “This exciting and creative project will provide our students with the opportunity to manage a real-life commercial business.

“It’s fantastic to have this backing from UK Steel Enterprise – without the funding we wouldn’t be able to provide the equipment and opportunity for budding entrepreneurs to gain valuable experience in producing commercially viable products. Students will see the profits from the sale of the products reinvested in the business so that future students can continue the project’s legacy and keep it going on a rolling basis.

“The College is working closely with Rotherham Youth Enterprise and The Makers Emporium to provide help and support to young entrepreneurs to develop skills in running their own business, which they can then take forward after completing their studies.”

Allan Wood, who manages the applications for the 40:40 Challenge at UK Steel Enterprise said: “This is a great creative initiative to get students thinking about business management and longer term career opportunities with the support from college tutors and local businesses.

“We’re delighted to support the project and we’re excited to see the funding kick-start a sustainable business for students to learn from and develop, inspiring future entrepreneurs of the region.”

UK Steel Enterprise, which has a base in Sheffield, has helped over 6,000 business in the steel regions. The company remains committed to investing in expanding businesses and the 40th anniversary 40:40 challenge is still open to enter: http://www.uksteelenterprise.co.uk/media-hub/news/587-40-40-challenge-a-competition-for-tomorrow-s-entrepreneurs

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by UK Steel Enterprise .