Nurturing needed for young entrepreneurs of future

Feb 5 2008 by Karen Dent, The Journal

BUSINESSES interested in helping the next generation of entrepreneurs are being urged to get in touch with a team working to develop enterprise among young people in Northumberland.

The Wansbeck Education Enterprise Network (WEEN) has been put together to work with children across the district’s primary, middle and high schools.

It aims to equip them with an entrepreneurial mindset and a can-do attitude so they leave school as confident adults able to make a real difference to the economy of the area.

WEEN programme manager Sarah Legge said: “One of the objectives of the WEEN is to develop strong links with the local Wansbeck business community to facilitate the delivery of enterprise activities and support enterprise curriculum development within schools. The WEEN is linking with the Wansbeck Business Forum to source local businesses who can provide support for the enterprise activities.”

The team, which is backed by the Government-funded Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) Go Wansbeck, is already working with a number of businesses.

Students from St Benet Biscop Catholic High School in Bedlington have been visiting JBT Waste Services, Brazen Light and the social enterprise Keep Creative to obtain an inside view of how enterprise works. Students ranging in ages from nine to 18 are taking part in Enterprise Generator days being held this week at Longhirst Hall, learning about what enterprise means for their school and their local community, with help from Wansbeck-based training and business development company New Tricks. Ms Legge added: “This is such an exciting time for the team. By embedding enterprise at grassroots level in all our schools, we are confident that it will become an integral part of young people’s lives in Wansbeck. We want young people to grow up with the knowledge that in an enterprise culture anything is possible and that being an entrepreneur is a viable, realistic option for their future.”

Ms Legge is keen to hear from Wansbeck businesses that want to get involved with WEEN. Ring her on (01670) 844560.