The Edge competition launched across Carshalton and Kingston Colleges in September 2012 aims to inspire young people to consider starting their own business and improve their employment prospects as well supporting business units that students are undertaking as part of their College education.
The federated Colleges have embraced a culture of enterprising futures to foster a new generation of social and commercial entrepreneurs and are in the process of promoting an enterprise programme for 16-19 full time students for the 2012/13 academic year.
Thus far, 6 teams are embarked across a number of business educational concepts across the following areas; Hair & Beauty, IT, Media and Skills for Work & Life with many students demonstrating improving enterprising qualities and capabilities by thinking differently about education and work.
Each of the 6 teams produced a detailed business plan and presented this to a panel including the Head of College. The teams have been provided with a budget to help get their business off the ground and the Colleges now look to encourage each team to develop and grow a successful business.
The Colleges are focussed on supporting the local ecosystems and to act as hubs in their respective regions and to this extent are in partnership with flagship employers such as British Airways, Merlin Entertainment, Sainsbury's, Sutton Housing Association, London Borough of Sutton, HSBC and Ignite Strategies to support the drive for an entrepreneurial culture by providing work experience, tailored business workshops, mentoring as well as forming part of the final employer judging panel.
Judging for the overall winner of The Edge competition will take place in May 2013.
Richard Strom, Managing Director, Ignite Strategies
"In this economic climate it is increasingly important to equip and prepare students for the world of work and help them find a competitive edge. The Edge competition, running across the two Colleges, provides a fantastic platform for students to obtain invaluable experience of creating and implementing sustainable business concepts. Ignite Strategies are delighted to be supporting Kingston and Carshalton Colleges Enterprise Schemes by providing business planning guidance and advice in Sales and Marketing strategies to students to help support their activities".
Robert Noad, Business Specialist, HSBC "It has been great to work with the students in providing them with specialist business planning, advice and guidance and I look forward to continuing the journey with the teams to ensure that their business ideas can be further developed into the world of work".
