A programme helping young people develop enterprise and employability skills has returned, with the first intensive sessions now being rolled out at schools and colleges across Staffordshire.
Staffordshire County Council’s Ignite programme, delivered by Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, supports students to develop real-world business skills through classroom learning, online modules and intensive workshops.
Now in its sixth year, Ignite has already helped more than 30,000 young people across the county build confidence and develop skills in areas such as marketing, finance, business planning and teamwork.
New to this year’s programme is the ‘Ignite Pitch Challenge’, which gives students the opportunity to take part in a Dragon’s Den-style competition. Participants will work in teams to develop a business idea and pitch it to a panel of judges, with vouchers and other prizes to be won.
The Pitch Challenge has been designed to add a fun and competitive element to the programme, while helping students put what they’ve learned into practice. It will encourage creativity, teamwork and problem-solving, while also building confidence in presenting ideas and responding to feedback.
Martin Murray, Staffordshire County Council’s Acting Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, said:
“Ignite continues to make a real difference for young people across Staffordshire, helping them to develop the skills and confidence they need for the future.
“The new Pitch Challenge is an exciting addition to the programme and will give students a fantastic opportunity to bring their ideas to life, work as a team and learn what it takes to pitch a business idea.”
Last year alone, more than 4,500 students across took part in Ignite, with all participants rating the intensive sessions as Good or Very Good and 92% of students saying they found the content useful in helping them to set up a business.
Supporting talent, skills and inclusive growth across Staffordshire sits at the heart of Staffordshire County Council’s new economic strategy, which cabinet is set to approve next month.
