Schoolchildren can face the dragons (From Northwich Guardian)

Schoolchildren can face the dragons

8:30am Friday 14th September 2012 in News

A REGIONAL competitionfor the next generation of enterprising youngsters is appealing to schools across Northwich and Winsford to get involved.

Weaver Vale Housing Trust is on the hunt for teams of business minded high school pupils in Years Eight, Nine or 10 to enter the local heat of the Young Starship Enterprise project, a competition aimed at supporting youngsters to develop their ideas for a new business.

Teams of up to six students from participating schools are being asked to develop a feasible product or service which will be presented to a Dragons’ Den style panel of business leaders who will judge the entries.

“The future success of organisations like the trust will be built on the ideas and skills of young people and I think this competition is fantastic way to encourage and nurture the talents of the next generation,” said Steve Jennings, chief executive of Weaver Vale Housing Trust.

Hebden Green Community School, in Winsford, St Nicholas Catholic High School, in Hartford, and Tarporley High School are amongst the first schools to sign up but the trust is keen for more schools to take part.

“The competition is all about developing young people’s employability and entrepreneurial skills to prepare them for life after education which we know is an extremely important element of the curriculum,” said Cheryl Quine, work and enterprise coordinator for the trust.

Winners in the local heat can receive up to £500 and go through to a regional grand final for the chance to win £5,000 to develop their business idea.

For more information email Cheryl Quine on cheryl.quine@wvht.co.uk, or Sue Stoneley on susan.stoneley@wvht.co.uk, or call 01606 813546.