Entrepreneurial skills (even basic business skills) sadly weren't on the curriculum when I was at school.
The nearest thing was 'A' Level Economics, which sounds as daunting to me now as it did back then. So, sadly, I didn't have an opportunity to learn about business when I was younger.
So I was very chuffed indeed when I was recently invited to take a seat on the judging panel (as a 'SuperDragon' no less!) for the very first Watford and Three Rivers Trust Dragons' Apprentice Challenge.
What's it all about?
Teams of Year 12 students from local schools are paired with a 'Dragon' (in the form of a local business person who acts as their mentor) and a local charity or community group. Each team is given £100 of seed investment. The challenge is for the teams to 'turn £100 into £1,000' (or to raise as much money as they can) for their charity - by whatever means they can think of - in just four months.
The winners aren't only judged by the amount of money raised. There are gongs for eight categories, including the best relationship with the charity and best project management.
I can tell you nothing about who has won other than to say that the winners will be announced at a special event at Watford Colosseum, which I have the huge honour of hosting, on the evening of Wednesday 27th March 2013. In the meantime, further information about Dragons' Apprentice Challenge is available here.
Good luck to all involved!
