Entrepreneurs show their skills
The students run a ‘mini-enterprise’ morning once a week at the
Leamington centre, where they develop and practice workplace and
business skills.
Enterprises include a book and video stall, coffee shop and
fruit baskets. The students are involved in the hands-on running of
the enterprises, deciding how much money to re-invest and taking
decisions as to how to improve the business.
Student, Richard Poulton, who is on the SkillBuilders programme,
said: “I especially enjoy working in the café and serving the
customers. I enjoy talking to people and I have learned how to use
the till and give the right change.
"We also get to decide what to do with the money – we donate
some of it to charity, have bought new display equipment for the
café and put the rest towards a residential course. Running the
coffee shop has helped me to get some work experience in a local
supermarket.”
Curriculum Leader, Romy Dixon, described how the project has
developed: “Last year, we started putting together fruit baskets
for the staff who work at the college, helping people to make
healthy choices about what they eat.
"We source fruit from local suppliers, students collect the
orders, deliver the fruit and collect the payment. Many of the
students use the skills they have learned to get part time jobs or
volunteer work.”