On Saturday December 5th 9am – 3.30pm, over 10 enterprising school student teams set up in Hitchin’s market square to compete for custom and test their entrepreneurial and business skills.
Representing schools from Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire the students have been developing a variety of products and services during this academic year in the Young Enterprise ‘Company Programme’ and ‘Team Programme’.
In both schemes they learn about business first-hand through running a real company. With advice from local business volunteers, the students set up real companies, electing a board of directors from amongst their peers, raising share capital and marketing and financing the development of a product or service of their own choice. At the end of the year they liquidate the company and present a report and accounts.
A small competition was run during the event with awards for Customer Service, Innovation, Trade Stand, Environmental Awareness and Best Company. The awards were judged by Cllr. Ray Shakespear-Smith, Mr Keith Hoskins of Hitchin Initiative and Ms. Stephanie Hensman of local company, Willmott Dixon.
Marilla Elliott, Young Enterprise Area Manager for Rickmansworth, Dacorum, North & Mid Hertfordshire said ‘It will be a marvellous showcase for the achievements of these young budding entrepreneurs in developing their skills, knowledge and confidence, in just a few months. We are extremely grateful to Hitchin and the local their support of this event
