Work Package 1 – Schools
Since September last year WSX has been working on the project delivery with 3 schools: Kings International College in Camberley, Surrey, Treolar’s School in Alton for young people with disabilities, Farnborough 6th Form College Business Studies students in Hampshire and Copiece School in Basingstoke.
There were already 6 sessions delivered in Kings and in Treolar’s schools with 12 learners in each school attending each lesson. In both schools, there will be a Business Pop Up event in March 2022. It was heart-warming to see the students motivated and focused on developing their business ideas and preparing for the big day where they will be sharing their products and services with internal and external guests.
In October there was an introductory SYU session for 15 students in Coppice Community school in Basingstoke. All learners in Coppice have severe mental health issues nevertheless they were able to engage in the session. It is possible that the full length of the course will be delivered here in September this year.
The co-operation with Farnborough 6th Form College has recently started. All students who attended SYU sessions are also attending Business Studies Course and their knowledge and contribution towards the sessions are very much appreciated. A small Pop Up event is scheduled for them at the end of March.
In addition, we are pleased to say that a Design and Print company Kraken, based in the Aldershot Enterprise Centre, joined our SYU family and plans to participate in our events whenever possible.
Work Package 2 – Outside School Organisations
We are pleased to work with 2 HUBs: Future Skills In Bordon and Employability Hub “Workshop” in Camberley.
The Future Skills Centre, which was opened in 2017, is an almost £4 million facility managed by Head of Construction Steve Gilder and offers a range of construction courses preparing learners for their future career.
There were almost 30 learners who attended 7 sessions during which they were learning about entrepreneurship, skills needed in self-employment, communication and customer relations. The sessions were followed by a successful Business Pop Up event at the beginning of February.
In total, the learners created seven businesses ( Pop Ups) which were displayed during the Business Pop Up event. One of the Pop Up businesses has been already registered as a sole trader company and has got regular customers. The event was attended by a colleague from Hampshire Council - Carolyn Jay as well as by business mentors from Inspiring Enterprise Project Lizzie Raffles and Susan Reviere who joined us via Teams.
There are also 3 companies which are involved in the Pop up: two construction companies T.A.T.A. Property Maintenance and Frogski & Marcin who offered the learners working experience as well as road recovery company Rhino Recovery LTD which is based in the Aldershot Enterprise Centre and became the Speed You Up ambassador and a role model for the learners.
In the Camberley workshop, there were several SYU sessions delivered as well as one Business Pop Up for Acobcast learners which proved very successful. The learners were introducing their production company and podcast which they have recorded. At the end of the programme, they progressed onto another scheme also managed by WSX.
There are several other SYU sessions scheduled at the Workshop for this year and at least 2 Pop Ups planned.
Two of the Workshop's employees, Lia and Clare, are not only helping when signposting learners to SYU but also are Support Stakeholders who received SYU stakeholder certificates.
As of mid-March WSX will also deliver SYU courses in 3 new separate Hubs in Eastleigh, Aldershot and in a mental health institution for young people in Southampton.
