DRAGON HUNTS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENTREPRENEURS IN CANTERBURY
THE PETER JONES ENTERPRISE ACADEMY AT THE CANTERBURY ACADEMY IS ENCOURAGING BUDDING ENTREPRENEURS TO CHOOSE THEIR PATH AND LIVE THEIR DREAMS
At The Canterbury Academy , during our Sixth form Open Evening , on the 8TH November 2017 – Applications are open for this year’s intake to the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy.
The Canterbury Academy has kicked off its search for young entrepreneurs who want to take control of their own futures. The Academy equips young people with the practical skills and experience needed to excel in the working world through its tailored courses, written by Peter Jones CBE in partnership with Edexcel, the UK’s largest educational awarding body. Whether students are aspiring entrepreneurs or ready to make their mark within a growing business, the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy puts them on the fast track to success, helping them become the best version of themselves.
Students aged 16-19 in the UK can enrol for BTEC courses through the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy. These business-led courses have a mission to unleash young people’s entrepreneurial talent by giving them the opportunity to “learn by doing” on work experience placements, national enterprise challenge days and inspirational masterclass sessions. Students on the course are given the unique opportunity to learn first hand the essential skills needed for business success, allowing them to boost their confidence, business acumen and get a head start with improving their networking skills.
Alumni of the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy have gone on to great things. Ross Bailey, one of the very first graduates of the academy, set up Appear Here in 2012, which aims to make renting shop space as easy as booking a hotel room. The likes of Apple, MADE.com and the Science Museum have all used Appear Here to showcase their offerings.
Ross said about his time at the Academy: “One thing I took away from the Academy, which has impacted my life greatly, was how to spot an opportunity and then focus on it.”
This year’s winner of the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy National Entrepreneur of the Year award was Kamal Hyman, who now runs his own motivational speaking business, Aim a Little Higher.
Kamal commented: “I’m a strong believer in learning by doing and the PJEA course allowed me to do just that. It allowed me to continue to run my business whilst teaching me how to improve certain aspects of it, and I saw a clear increase in the amount of business I conducted. I also got a lot of value from the unique opportunities like the CIPS Challenge, pitching ideas to Canon and Jessops and of course presenting my business to Peter Jones and his team. This course really stands out and I had a fantastic time.” “In the area that I work in, there are a lot of other speakers, and when it comes to standing out, particularly against those with more years of experience, having Peter’s backing as his chosen entrepreneur has been invaluable.” Please find below an example press release that could be used to help drive recruitment. If you would like help or advice on creating a new release please get in touch with Megan Lass or Seven Hills.
Peter Jones CBE commented:
“We must provide our future business leaders with the best chance we can, especially given today’s uncertain business environment. At the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy we build skills in our young people by encouraging a hands on, learning-by-doing approach and it is brilliant to see their confidence really soar as a result of this. They achieve well-respected qualifications whilst also preparing themselves for the working world.”
