The Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH) launched its new entrepreneur’s innovation challenge on the 30th October. The "PUSH AHEAD!" Challenge is led by South Hampshire businesses with the aim of developing young peoples’ entrepreneurial skills. Open to schools from South East and South West Hampshire it will challenge teams of Year 9 and 10 students to develop a new and innovative business product, idea or service which will reflect environmental sustainability issues.
Around 100 young people have already signed up for the challenge and will soon begin work on their ideas. They met for the first time this week, when they came together for the event launch where they heard first hand from industry experts in presentations by the Environment Agency, Yellowfin and the winner of ITV’s Tycoon series, Portsmouth based, Iain Morgan.
Students will learn vital business skills such as team-working, communication, decision-making and budgeting They will also gain from working with real business practitioners who will provide support and expertise to assist them as they develop proposals and prototypes for judging in March 2008. Three prize winning teams from each area will then go forward to the South Hampshire Grand Final during May 2008.
Businesses will also gain from the Challenge as it will provide an opportunity to give their staff experience of mentoring, coaching and working with young people and help companies to fulfill their Corporate Social Responsibilities.
If your company would like to know more about the “PUSH AHEAD!” Challenge or be willing to become a Business Mentor please contact Wendy Miller (Solent Skill Quest) on 023 8072 5725 / mailto:wendy.miller@solentskillquest.co.uk or Lyn Wakeford (Portsmouth & SE Hants EBP) on 023 9229 1456 / mailto:lwakeford@portsmouthebp.co.uk
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