In September 2020, WSX Enterprise launched a programme to encourage and equip young people with the skills to start their own business. The project is part of a European programme, called Speed You Up, funded by Interreg 2 SEAS.
The project, which is coordinated by Adriana Crear, is based at our Aldershot Enterprise Centre and will run until March 2023. Its main aim is to improve the employability and entrepreneurial skills of young NEETS aged 16 to 25 (Not in Education, Employment or Training) and those at risk of becoming a NEET. The programme puts emphasis on local communities and encourages young people to set up businesses in line with the local needs in order to cover gaps in missing services and products.
WSX Enterprise works closely with Charities, Councils, Job Centres and Training Centres at Hampshire and Surrey in order to deliver a range of training sessions about entrepreneurship to young people. The sessions improve learners’ confidence and provide them with skills that would allow them to either set up a business or be able to find employment.
Recently, the project has been working with the Waverley Training Services Centre based in Farnham for example. A group of 12 young learners have been engaged in 6 training sessions about skills, community, business planning, customer relations and marketing. Similar activities are already underway in Southampton and Guildford.
Later in 2021, the project will start liaising with local schools and colleges, with the programme starting from September onwards. At schools, the project can be delivered either by teachers, who have the opportunity to receive training in entrepreneurship.
Our Project Coordinator Adriana will be pleased to hear from everyone who works with young people, who are unemployed and not in training or education in Hampshire and Surrey as well as stakeholders who could offer coaching or provide work experience.
For more information about the project, please email the Young Entrepreneur Project Coordinator and follow us on Twitter: WSX Young Entrepreneur
Notes:
In December 2019 the European Territorial Cooperation Programme (Interreg 2 Seas) together with 13 project partners from France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK has launched the Speed You Up Young Entrepreneur programme.
WSX Enterprise is one of the UK partners in the project working alongside Bournemouth University, Digital Peninsula Network which is the largest network of ICT and digital businesses in Cornwall and Devon Mind – a mental health charity based in Plymouth.
Each UK partner will cover their allocated area with WSX working in Surrey and Hampshire region.
European partners have access to the educational materials available on the Speed You Up website: https://www.speed-you-up.org/
