COMPETITION judges took their hats off to enterprising students for their novel business idea.

A hat which can be used to charge mobile phones was the brainwave of the Sun-Cap team from Mid Cheshire College, which won the Barclays Built for Business enterprise national competition.

The final was held at the bank’s Canary Wharf headquarters in London, and was the final element of the 2014 Barclays Money Skills ‘weeks’ programme.

The winning team of Emma Fielding, Adam Benfedda, Mary Winstanley and Sally Sherratt received a trophy and an iPad mini each after convincing the judges their business idea was a winner.

The customisable hat the team came up with contains a solar panel, which can be used to charge mobile phones and other electronic devices.

The team competed against seven other shortlisted teams from colleges across the UK by pitching their business ideas to a panel of judges.

Students attending the final also benefitted from a careers workshop, helping them brush up on their CV writing and interview skills.

“We are so excited about this award,” said Sun-Cap member Emma Fielding.

“A lot of thought went into this business project. It has been rewarding to work as part of a team, and it feels great to be recognised for our business idea.”

Fellow team member Adam Benfedda said they learned a great deal by entering the competition, and enjoyed the experience very much.

“We found turning an idea into a business very hard but also very rewarding,” he said.

“It was great meeting and sharing experiences with other students from colleges all over the country at the finals, and would recommend entering the competition to everyone.”

Richard Hollywood, Mid Cheshire College principal, said: “We’re thrilled that a team from our college has won the competition.

“Competitions like these provide students with entrepreneurial opportunities, and this is completely in line with our college’s aim to make our students more employable and to provide them with the skills they need to secure their future.”

The programme assists students attending further education colleges to develop their enterprise, employability and financial skills.

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