Young Enterprise

What is Young Enterprise?

At Cowes Sixth Form, we offer students the opportunity to participate in the Companies Programme and develop the skills and expertise to become leading entrepreneurs of the future.

The YE Company Programme provides a real-life learning opportunity that introduces young people to the realities of the world of work. Students set up and run their own student company. They make all the decisions about their business, from deciding on the company name and product to managing the company finances. Students sell to the public with pop up shops at YE trade fairs and on YE market place, the dedicated online sales platform. Participants gain the practical business experience, adaptability, entrepreneurial mindset and employability skills needed to secure successful futures. Student companies can take part in local competitions and the opportunity to battle it out to be crowned UK YE Company of the Year and to go on to the European Company Programme Final.

Learning Outcomes from YE Company Programme

• Develop confidence, an enterprising mindset and employability skills for successful transitions to the next stage of life
• Gain first-hand experience of work, job roles and working as a team
• Recognise the qualities and skills needed for employability and create positive accounts of these skills
• Gain self-awareness to recognise personal strengths and areas for personal development
• Understand self-employment/entrepreneurship as a career option
• Develop interesting and relevant content for inclusion in applications to education/training providers and future employers
• Develop a professional network
• Set SMART goals and plan next steps to achieve successful futures
• Fulfil the skills element of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme

Additional benefits

The YE Company Programme is a great way to enhance a student’s UCAS personal statement with an extra-curricular activity that really impresses universities. Company Programme supports students to gain confidence, practical know-how and attributes to prepare for work and provides interesting and relevant content to include in applications to education and training providers or future employers. By taking part in an online self-assessment, students receive a certificate to evidence the development of employability skills.

When does it take place?

The YE Schedule is as follows:

Additional Information

Step by step guidance is available online with videos and resources to support students to run their student company. All this takes place with the support of a Volunteer Business Adviser who facilitates the programme and brings a wealth of business knowledge and expertise. All YE Volunteer Business Advisers are DBS checked and have completed safeguarding training.