Initiative To Help Schools’ Thirst For Business Knowledge

June 18, 2010 - PRLog -- Schools across Yorkshire and the Humber are getting into the World Cup spirit as part of an enterprise initiative looking to find tomorrow’s business leaders – young people are being asked to design a football-themed sports drink.

Launched in 2005, the Real Business Challenge http://www.therealbusinesschallenge.co.uk links with local employers and gives young people authentic experience of the business world, putting them in the driving seat from initial decision making through to successful project delivery.

Schools have until 1 July 2010 to register their Year 9 classes for this year’s challenge, in which they will be set a business task to design, market, launch and distribute a World Cup-themed soft drink.

Entries will be judged in October and 12 schools will be shortlisted to go through to a one-day final in November in which further business-related tasks will be set by initiative partner Coca-Cola Enterprises, whose bottling plant near Wakefield is the biggest in the world.

More than 2,500 pupils from 80 schools across the region took part in last year’s Challenge which supports the Government’s commitment to encourage enterprise in schools – it is funded by Yorkshire Forward and supported by the Young People’s Enterprise Forum (YPEF).

YPEF is a regionally-based not-for-profit organisation which aims to nurture and inspire enterprise among young people across Yorkshire, enhancing the rates of self-employment and business start-ups.

Alex McWhirter, Assistant Director of Business at Yorkshire Forward, said: “The Real Business Challenge is a great way for our region’s young people to experience the commercial challenges of running a business and responding to campaign briefs.  

“This year’s World Cup-themed Challenge should really whet the appetite of teachers and young people alike and we’re looking forward to some creative ideas and the application of some sound business thinking around topics which will be familiar to many.

“This is our sixth year of the Real Business Challenge and its year-on-year growth, the great feedback we receive from students and their schools, and the support from our business partners like Coca-Cola is testament to the success of the project.”  

Jim Fox, Head of Public Affairs at Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd, said: “We’re delighted to be involved again in this year’s challenge of finding Yorkshire’s business leaders of tomorrow.

“The event is designed to give young people a fuller understanding of business such as the skills and attributes needed to work in a commercial environment and we’re looking forward to giving our support, and business perspective, from a local employer.

“England will be World Cup crazy this summer, so we’ve set a fun initiative based initially on designing a new football-themed soft drink.  But it’s not just excellent design and marketing skills that we’re looking for; clever ideas on packaging, distribution and recycling will also be key in finding this year’s winner.”

*Schools wishing to enter the Real Business Challenge should email info@ypef.org.uk before 1 July 2010.  Further information available at http://www.therealbusinesschallenge.co.uk