Enterprising youngsters mean business

Published by Riverside for Riverside in Education

Entrepreneurs of the future showcased their business plans at an Apprentice style event at Everton Football Club.

The event was the culmination of Big Business, a seven-week work-based training project for pupils sponsored by housing association Riverside.

Year 8 pupils from Broadgreen International School, North Liverpool Academy in Everton, St Francis of Assissi Academy in Kensington, St Wilifreds in Bootle and St Cuthbert’s Catholic Community College in St Helens presented their ideas to an audience of over 100.

Parents, teachers and peers, representatives from partner organisations; and Riverside tenants, residents and board members were wowed by the youngsters, whose projects included a youth club, an adventure farm and a Bed and Breakfast Bus.

Tom McGuire, Divisional Director for Riverside, presented certificates to the students and a trophy to each school. He said: “I was greatly impressed with the quality of the projects presented, which demonstrated real business acumen and flair for social-media and marketing that could teach some real organisations a thing or two.”  

Throughout the project, the pupils visited: Elect to learn the main elements of setting up and running a business; Tesco, where they picked up advice on marketing; and Mersey Travel who took the students on behind the scenes tour of the Mersey Tunnels and taught them about Health and Safety in the workplace.

Riverside’s Community Engagement Officer Lisa Shearwood-Vingoe said: “The programme gave young people experience of real working environments. It was also an opportunity for participating pupils to build their confidence and self-esteem and develop their communication skills.”