Global Entrepreneurship Week

Representatives from local businesses, employment and community organisations, joined college staff for a week of activities aimed at helping students learn more about starting their own business and progressing in the workplace.

Students attended seminars on topics such as business start-up, increasing employability skills, making the most of volunteering opportunities and creating winning CVs.

Student Services Manager, Nicola Perrett, said: “Helping students to develop entrepreneurial skills is very important for the College. It enables them to take advantage of the broadest possible range of opportunities both during and after their studies, developing skills which will always be of use in the workplace.”

Guest speakers included Tom Martell, Head of Recruitment for The Garden Centre Group, who spoke at the Pershore centre about the opportunities available for students in the garden centre industry.

Jane Dobson from the Market Town Partnership and Susan Crow from the Regional Economic Development Department had much to tell students about the support available to them in starting their own business, while Anne Simper, from Balancing Business, talked them through many of the practicalities.

Arboriculture student, Will Cowley, went to the seminar on ‘how to start a business’. He said: “I want to set up my own tree and garden services business. I didn’t know much about it before, but I have learned about setting up a business legally, writing a business plan, getting start-up grants and quoting for a job. I think it’s really important for students to know how to set up their own business as it gives them more opportunities when they leave college.”

Will is now working with Anne Simper on a one-to-one basis to develop his business plan and hopes to set up his own business before leaving college.