The achievements of six teams from schools in the West London region were celebrated in an awards ceremony hosted by educational charity Young Enterprise, a national organisation which motivates young people to succeed in the changing world of work. The local event is held annually at the University of West London (UWL) Ealing campus.
Titled the Company Programme, students aged 15 to 19 from participating schools run their own business for an academic year. Producing and marketing a product or service to sell to the public, making a profit is less important in the long run than what the students learn along the way. Skills such as teamwork, communication and negotiation are invaluable in work and life.
The student companies compete on a local level before progressing to area, regional, national, and European competitions.
Alperton Community School (Team Eirin) won the Company of the Year accolade and one student said, “What we have achieved shows that business is a real option.”
Other schools featuring in the ceremony were Featherstone High School (Team Infinite Power); Putney High School (Team Dalia LTD); Kingsbury High School (Team Zentelle Scents) and North London Collegiate School (Team Genesis Jewels and Team Little Prints).
Mr Cobb a teacher from North London Collegiate said, “The Company Programme provides students with different options in life. It is an incredible journey that the students go through.”
UWL staff judging the event were John Charlton, Head of Knowledge Exchange and Business Engagement, Research & Enterprise at UWL and Tony Mulvahil, Senior Lecturer in Business & Management at The Claude Littner Business School (CLBS).
John Charlton said, “I enjoyed meeting the students and each group showed skills and maturity beyond their years. The business acumen demonstrated during interviews and quality of presentations were impressive. All participating schools can be proud of the innovative business ideas produced.”
Tony Mulvahill added, “This was my second time judging the event at UWL. The students showed their resilience in overcoming various setbacks during the development of their businesses. I enjoyed the student presentations as it takes a lot of courage to present in front of a room of strangers. Well done to everyone.”
Tara Bell, Partnership Manager at Young Enterprise said, “I would like to thank University of West London’ for their continued support. It gives young people invaluable, practical business experience and the opportunity to build employability skills.”
