Member Article

Launch Pad plays host to young apprentices

Young apprentices from across the North East pitched their business plans to a team of judges last week in the hope of winning a cash prize. A panel made up of representatives from Justice Prince Community Interest Company (CIC), Longbenton Community Action Team and The North East Enterprise Bond heard business ideas desigened to improve the local communities of the young people involved.

The whole event took place on Wednesday, on board Launch Pad at the Balliol Youth and Community Centre, Longbenton, Newcastle upon Tyne. Launch Pad was created by The North East Enterprise Bond to help promote enterprise culture across the region.

Justice Prince CIC developed the Young Apprentice Project, a response to needs of excluded young people in the area. The aim of the Young Apprentice Project is to show young people how they can transform ideas into a sustainable business, providing jobs for themselves and benefiting the wider community.

During the first part of the scheme, ten young people participated in enterprise workshops and conducted basic ‘market research’ to identify local needs. Phase two was the ‘Young Apprentice Challenge’ that included a residential weekend in the Lake District. . Since their return, the budding entrepreneurs continued to meet on a weekly basis preparing their pitch for the presentation. Winning team, Kerry Embelton and Daniel Prince, was awarded £100 for their Soft Play Jungle Club business idea.

Karen Clark, Chief Executive, Justice Prince CIC, said: “It’s been a fantastic project and great example of effective partnership working. “We are making a real difference to excluded young people and taking the enterprise message straight to the heart of communities. It was incredibly difficult choosing the winning team, as all the entrants displayed such enthusiasm and creative flair, and we’re really proud of everybody who took part.”

For further information about Launch Pad, visit www.northeastenterprisebond.org. For more about Justice Prince CIC, call Karen Clark on 0191 2661717.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .