Solihull college launches new entrepreneurship programme

Solihull College & University Centre has launched a new entrepreneurship programme, giving students the opportunity to develop their business ideas with guidance from entrepreneur and BBC The Apprentice interviewer Linda Plant.

The initiative, titled ‘Can You Convince Linda Plant?’, has been created by entrepreneur and Programme Director Fi Yates to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world commercial experience.

The pilot is being delivered in collaboration with Stratford-upon-Avon College.

Eleven students have secured places on the programme, where they will take part in a series of business challenges designed to develop their entrepreneurial thinking and commercial skills.

Three finalists will then have the opportunity to pitch their business plans to Linda Plant and a panel of employers early next year.

Linda visited students at Solihull College & University Centre’s Blossomfield Campus this week to hear about their progress as they prepare their business proposals.

She said: “It's so great to see that every one of them is motivated. I have seen students who I really believe will go into business. It's tough out there at the moment and all eleven of them have got a really good idea which they can take forward.”

Drawing on her international business experience, Fi Yates developed the programme to give students practical insight into the challenges of turning an idea into a viable business. As programme director, she will lead the pilot's delivery alongside Linda and the colleges.

Fi said: “This programme is about bringing the real world of business into education and giving students the confidence, skills and opportunities to think entrepreneurially.

“I wanted to create something practical, engaging and commercially relevant, where students can experience the challenges of turning an idea into a viable business.

“Working alongside Linda and the colleges, our ambition is to build on this pilot and create opportunities for many more young people to develop their entrepreneurial potential.”

Archie Berry, a student at Stratford-upon-Avon College, said the programme would give young people the opportunity to explore their ambitions and take their first steps towards running a business.

He said: “It's going to be great fun. Owning my own business and being my own boss is something I can see myself doing in the future. This competition gives people like me, the next generation, the opportunity to start our own businesses – and getting started early is a great idea.”

Fellow student Gurpreet Kaur, who studies at Blossomfield Campus, said developing her business plan had kept her awake at night, adding that Linda's guidance would be invaluable.

She said: “I want to be an entrepreneur and make my family proud. I really think Linda being on hand will give me the skills I need to build my business. You can't limit yourself when it comes to opportunities like this!”