Young Enterprise is a national charity in partnership with HSBC. It is designed to give pupils a real life experience of setting up and running a business.  From the initial stages of selecting roles within the company, to producing a product, selling and then winding up the company.

Pupils get the chance to gain help and information from a local business advisor. A school link teacher is also on hand to keep the company focused and help direct on a day to day basis.

QEMS has been supporting the YE company programme at Y12 for the past 5 years; during this time we have had a very successful group of young people, with all of them agreeing that the experience is the most valuable part.

In addition to the company experience pupils are entered for a YE qualification, this gives them an extra GCSE and can help in future employment prospects.

For more information on YE please visit the charity website: www.young-enterprise.org.uk

QEMS Young Enterprise

In the last two years QEMS have had two very different yet equally successful company’s, these were; QEMS Enterprise and The Pinnacle Group .  Their journey is explained below
QEMS Young Enterprise

In the last two years QEMS have had two very different yet equally successful company’s, these were; QEMS Enterprise and The Pinnacle Group .  Their journey is explained below.

QEMS Enterprise – The Journey

 

After a difficult start the company decided to create personalised mugs, their mission statement was as follows,

 

“We aim to provide high quality, personalised mugs for every customer and for all occasions.”

 

The company worked exceptionally well together over a period of four months, they extensively developed their communicational and team working skills.  They developed and produced custom mugs for individuals and business.  The company initially started selling within the school; they then also expanded this to local companies. 

 

Three key members of the company attended the prestigious Promota trade fair in February 2009.  Here they had the opportunity to interact with companies that specialise in wholesale selling of promotional products.  Company members were able to ask key questions relating to marketing and obtaining customers.

 

Four members of the company took part in the Lichfield Young Enterprise trade fair.  They developed and presented their product to other company’s and a set of YE Judges.  The talented company members won the mystery shopper award for outstanding customer service; this was presented by a local business.

All members attended the company presentation evening; here they presented their company experience to judges and over 100 students from other schools.  On the evening the team won the best presentation, yet another success.

All money raised from the sale of products was donated to a local charity and a small amount reinvested for the next years YE group.

 

The Pinnacle Group – The Journey

The company had a very thorough workshop on ideas for a product or service, they finally settled on a children’s cookbook, the reasoning behind this was to raise awareness and money for a local charity “Debra”.

Several members took a key role in developing prototype booklets; these were then fully tested on family and friends.  The final product was finally ready in early February and just in time for the YE Trade Fair.  See a Section of their outstanding booklet.

The pupils had a fantastic day, selling in excess of 20 booklets and taking orders for future sales.

All members of the team worked hard on producing a presentation for the final event at Drayton Manor, they prepared over a three day period and rehearsed several times, this paid off as they delivered a very concise and professional performance.

As the booklet was developed for Debra, the company have donated 90% of their current profits to this.  This was an amazing £150.  Well done what an achievement, and with money still coming in this could rise in the near future.

 

This year’s group didn’t win any awards, but if winning could be defined as having lots of fun and a really enjoyable and worthwhile experience then this year’s group has won by a mile!

 

 Interested Joining Young Enterprise

How do I get involved?

 

Well you need to be in Y12 or Y13.

Have an Idea of a product or service which you would like to provide.

Have an insurmountable amount of energy and enthusiasm.

The drive is to succeed by working individually and as a team.

Oh….. and possibly the ambition to make a profit!

 

Still interested?

 

If this sounds like you then contact Mr Page straight away as the team for September 2010 will be forming shortly.