Students Learn The Tricks Of The Trade

February 10th, 2010

Budding young entrepreneurs showed off their business skills to Grimsby shoppers.

Students from Tollbar School sold items at a trade fair in Freshney Place, organised by Young Enterprise Yorkshire and Humber.

Preparation for the fair began in September, when the students set up their own companies and chose a product or service to sell.

They have since held regular meetings to plan their sales and marketing strategies, receiving advice from experienced business people along the way.

Stella Onyett, development manager for Young Enterprise Yorkshire and Humber, said: "The purpose of this trade fair is to give young people the experience of selling products or services to the public and to help them learn how to present those products and how to interact with customers."

"The overall objective of the programme is to help the students learn skills for life such as communication skills, teamwork, taking the initiative and being resilient, which will help them either set up their own business in the future or enhance their CV."

Pandemik were one of five companies from Tollbar to take part.

Their finance director, Chris Shaw, 15, said: "We have been selling bath bombs, roses and photo frames. Taking part in the event has helped me to improve my self-confidence and my networking skills."

Another team from Tollbar, Wild, sold a range of jewellery.

Sales director Lucy Chapman, 14, said: "Starting our own business has been a lot of fun, as you can just let your creativity flow."

The eight companies who took part in the trade fair will each make a presentation to a panel of judges in May, in a bid to win the sub-regional Humber competition.

The winner which will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Forest Pines Hotel in Brigg on May 20, will then progress to the regional Yorkshire and Humber final in Hull in June.

Article from The Grimsby Telegraph - Monday February 8th 2010

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