News: RCAT inspiring young minds

The Young People’s Enterprise Forum recently launched a new initiative at Rotherham College of Arts & Technology aimed at giving students on vocational courses the tips and advice they need to start their own business. The Embedding Enterprise in Further Education programme, funded by Yorkshire Forward, will see modules on business start up become a key part of vocational courses, and professional development for teaching staff will ensure enterprise education becomes a core part of college life. Chairman of the Young People’s Enterprise Forum Martin Hathaway said: "Students who qualify as electricians, graphic designers, plumbers, or hairdressers need to know how to approach potential customers and tackle issues such as pricing or advertising. "Working with the participating colleges to embed these essential enterprise skills will help young people consider self employment as a real career option and will also help them become valued employees for a small business." Deirdre Bounds, one of the UK’s top entrepreneurs, has signed up to be the region’s first Enterprise Ambassador for Young People. Speaking at the Yorkshire launch of Enterprise Week Ms Bounds urged more businesses to follow her example and become role models for young people. She said: "Young people are our lifeblood and they will be running this region in the future. They need to be inspired by those of us who have had business success." Ms Bounds, who founded the ethical travel company i-to-i, is spearheading the Enterprising Yorkshire, Inspiring Young minds campaign for the Young People’s Enterprise Forum.
RCAT website
Enterprising Yorkshire website
Rotherham