Bexley Students Take on the Business World
Teenagers from schools in the London Borough of Bexley spent the day developing
work related skills by trading at Greenwich Market last weekend (10 February).
Students from BETHS Grammar School, Bexleyheath School and Bexley Grammar
School took part in a Young Enterprise Trade Fair at Greenwich Market selling
products that they have manufactured themselves while running their own businesses
through the Young Enterprise Company Programme.
Trading at the market was their opportunity to sell to the general public
and test the value of their goods, instead of dealing in the closed market
of students, teachers and family.
"What better way of getting experience of the market place than in the
market!" says Cabinet Member for Schools, Adult Education and Youth Services,
Cllr Simon Windle. "This is a great way of getting a taste of the world
of business while helping to shape future career choices. I look forward to
hearing how these young people got on at the fair."
Young Enterprise Programmes offer students of all abilities the chance to
gain practical experience of enterprise through setting up and running their
own real company, developing enterprise capability, financial literacy and
economic understanding through learning by doing.
Bexley's young entrepreneurs began their Young Enterprise experience in September
and have since elected a Board of Directors, raised share capital, drawn up
a business plan and launched a marketing campaign for their chosen product
or service. They are soon to start a wave of competitions starting at a local
stage and going on to a European level. By taking part in the trade fair, they
will have gained invaluable experience to help them on their journey.
Angela Ferrari, Development Manager, Young Enterprise London said: "We
were really excited about holding our trade fair in Greenwich Market. The tough
competition our companies faced from the innovative traders at Greenwich Market
was a fantastic learning experience".
The achievers are guided by Business Advisors from local businesses who devote
an hour a fortnight to help these future entrepreneurs. This is essential for
the programme to work well as the students get real life examples and scenarios
and are guided through any problems they encounter.
