On course for Heroes

Nov 16 2009 by Karen McLauchlan, Evening Gazette

STUDENTS across the North- east are being targeted by an educational programme as part of the If We Can, You Can campaign, encouraging them to learn more about business and entrepreneurial skills. It is hoped it will persuade them to consider going into business as a serious career option.

The launch of Entrepreneurial Heroes coincides with the start of Global Entrepreneurship Week and will see students from primary schools to universities taking part in a competition celebrating the achievements of entrepreneurs.

As part of a longer term strategy, If We Can, You Can has formed a partnership with Newcastle University which has embedded the campaign into its media course.

Stephen Green, head of communications at Entrepreneurs Forum, which organises the annual If We Can, You Can campaign and who will deliver a series of lectures next year to students, said he hoped Heroes would “engage and inspire young people when it comes to business”.

Middlesbrough Colleges is among those first to sign up to the new campaign.

Its launch follows growing concern that mainstream education fails to equip young people with the skills and information needed to consider starting their own business.

Last week, the Prince’s Trust said nearly two-thirds of 18 to 30-year- olds in the North-east received little or no advice about becoming an entrepreneur from their school or college.