Extension Studies - Young Enterprise

Course summary

Today, young people need to be more adaptable than ever before, prepared to change career direction in response to opportunity and to learn new skills throughout their working lives. In other words, they need to be enterprising. Young Enterprise’s Company Programme gives thousands of students each year the opportunity to prepare for this working life through the experience of running their own company, supported by volunteer advisers from business. Students aged 17 to 19 set up and run their company over the course of one academic year. They elect a board of directors from amongst their peers, raise share capital, and market and finance a product or service of their own choice. At the end of the year they present a report and accounts to their shareholders. Students gain experience of the real world, taking responsibility and being accountable to their shareholders for the running of the business. They attend Trade Fairs at which they sell their product or service. An annual competition identifies the top companies in the UK and Europe.