Welcome to this blog that shows how enterprising the city of Hull's young people are. The blog will feature up-dates about the work of the Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership and its support for Global Entrepreneurship Week.
















Wednesday, 16 December 2015

Five Hull schools chosen to take part in Greenpower enterprising schem

Five primary schools in Hull are to be supported by young entrepreneurs Engaging Education and the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank to get involved with the STEM initiative, a programme run by the Greenpower Trust who work closely with Siemens. 

The project is aimed at promoting sustainable engineering to young people by teaching them how to design, build and race electric kit cars in school teams, whilst exploring the science, technology, engineering and maths skills required to develop their teamwork and leadership qualities, forming part of the Big 13 Enterprise Skills. 

Kevin Wilkinson, Financial Controller at Siemens, said: 

"I was really pleased with the enthusiasm and quality of submissions by all the schools entering the Greenpower Trust competition. The understanding of the Big 13 Enterprise Skills and the impact a Greenpower project can have on pupils was encouraging to see, therefore it was very difficult to choose a winner. 

"However, given what I've seen in the submissions, I'm sure all the schools involved in Greenpower projects will gain a lot from the experience." 

Councillor Martin Mancey, Portfolio Holder for Energy City, said: 

"The council is pleased to be working with Siemens, Engaging Education and the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank on this great project with Greenpower Trust, in order to ensure that young people across the city can find out more about enterprising and STEM. 

"I look forward to seeing the cars once they are built by the schools." 

All primary schools across the city took part in the Big 13 Enterprise Skills competition, and the winners include Foredyke Primary (won £500), Cavendish Primary (won £200), Francis Askew Primary (won £200). Gillshill and Biggin Hill Primary School already received £500 towards an IET Formula Goblin Car because of their excellent record of engaging with pupils in the enterprise agenda. 

Sarah Elsom, Enterprise Leader, Foredyke Primary School, said: 

"The children in year five and six are already really excited about this opportunity and want to organize a weekly café for the pupils and parents to raise money. They are also drafting letters to send to local businesses to gain sponsorship and raise the profile of the school." 

Ross Bennett, Managing Director of Engaging Education, said: 

"We are delighted to be sponsoring this great initiative with the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank and Hull City Council, there was some fantastic entries from schools associated with the Be Enterprising Group of teachers and tutors and we are looking forward to working with the young people at the schools." 

Message from Ruth Badger

There is no doubt that Hull and East Riding is the right place to be if you’re a potential young entrepreneur and/or a student wishing to develop your enterprise skills. This year Hull has seen its highly successful John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank not only win the Department of Business Innovation and Skills Enterprising Britain Award, but it went on to represent the UK in the European Enterprise Promotion Awards and gain the runners up position. During the year the JCYEB has supported 25 young people with their business idea working alongside various partners and next year it will be working with London Youth Support Trust and Hull City Council in providing a new incubator service for potential young entrepreneurs.

One of the great things about the JCYEB is that not only has it supported with training, a grant and mentored 100's of young people with their business idea, it is a cornerstone of Hull's youth enterprise eco-system as many of those that have received support from it have made donations to it or acted as mentors to potential young entrepreneurs. Along with the City Council it also supports the Hull Youth Enterprise Awards and I was pleased that this year they established the enterprising student award in memory of one of Hulls great head teachers Jane Disbrey, who I had the privilege of meeting on a number of occasions.

During Global Entrepreneurship Week in November the Hull City Council, supported by the Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership, and with the support of the business community, managed to organise some fantastic events in the area this year. I have to say it was the best ever and for the 12th year running in Hull we saw people supporting your students to develop their enterprising skills. It was very rewarding in the evaluations to see that 60% of the young people who participated in the week said they are now more confident about understanding youth entrepreneurship and 70% of young people involved in the week said that they talked about enterprise at school & college in Hull.

Two of the most rewarding statistics from this years evaluations completed by the young people taking part in the week, was 65% of young people said they are more positive about self-employment as a career choice compared to before the week, and 30% of young people who took part said that they had or would pass on their experiences and/or knowledge to others again. Finally, 80% of young people who took part in the activities in Hull said that they would now be proactively taking action towards their entrepreneurial goal.

There is no wonder that the city gained the High Impact Award for its work during this important week from Youth Business International who runs the week in the UK on behalf of the Kaufman Foundation.

One of most rewarding initiatives in the City is Make £5 Blossom whereby a school gets a loan from a business of £150 and they get to work with that business on an enterprising idea. Any profits made are then split between the school and Hull's exciting Be Enterprising Group of teachers and tutors who are developing enterprising curriculum materials and have recently developed a web based enterprise game. I know of no other place in the UK where young people are so involved in the enterprise agenda and helping to raise funds to develop curriculum materials as well as enterprise training - Hull really has developed a youth enterprise eco system.

So all in all Hull has supported many 100's of enterprising young people, either by developing their enterprise skills and/or helping them to set up in business with the support of the Youth Enterprise Bank, so we look forward to even more success in 2016 with the support of the local business community. If you want to sponsor or mentor a young entrepreneur or support students to develop their enterprise skills then get in touch with Mike Notarantonio michael.notarantonio@hullcc.gov.uk to find out how you can help our enterprising young people.

I look forward to getting involved in more enterprising activities in Hull in 2016, especially in supporting a group of young entrepreneurs who are to visit South Africa on an exchange, and the fantastic STEM/Enterprise project the city is running with The Greenpower Trust and schools supported by your business community and young entrepreneurs like Thomas Arran Photography, Labrascals and Engaging Education.

I wish you all a Happy New Year.

Ruth Badger
Patron Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership

Monday, 30 November 2015

Support for Enterprise/STEM Project in Hull Primary Schools

Five primary schools in Hull are to be supported by young entrepreneurs Engaging Education and the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank in order that they can get involved in a great new STEM linked initiative with the Greenpower Trust who work with Siemens. The project is all about promoting sustainable engineering to young people and is done by allowing them to create, build and race electric cars. During the process they will explore the science, technology, engineering and maths that are behind everything they are doing and it also gives them the opportunity to use all of the Big 13 enterprise skills too.

The schools selected following a competition linked to the Big 13 Enterprise Skills are Foredyke Primary (won £500), Cavendish Primary(won £200) and Francis Askew Primary (won £200), two other schools Gillshill Primary School and Biggin Hill Primary School had already received £500 towards an IET Formula Goblin Car because of their excellent record of engaging with pupils in the enterprise agenda.

“I was really pleased with  the enthusiasm and quality of submissions by all the schools entering the Greenpower Trust competition. The understanding of the Big 13 Enterprise Skills and the impact a Greenpower project can have on pupils was encouraging to see . Therefore it was very difficult to choose a winner of this competition. However,  given what I’ve seen in the submissions, I’m sure all the schools involved in Greenpower projects will gain a lot  from the experience.”
Kevin Wilkinson, Financial Controller at Siemens

“We are delighted to be sponsoring this great initiative with the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank and Hull City Council, there was some fantastic entries from schools associated with the Be Enterprising Group of teachers and tutors. We are looking forward to working with the young people at the schools.”
Ross Bennett, MD Engaging Education

“ The Council is pleased to be working with Siemens, Engaging Education and the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank on this great project with Greenpower Trust in order that young people find out more about enterprise and STEM, I look forward to seeing the cars once they are built by the schools.
Cllr Martin Mancey

“The children in year five and six are already really excited about this opportunity and want to organize a weekly café for the pupils and parents to raise money and they are also drafting letters to send to local businesses to gain sponsorship and raise the profile of the school.
Sarah Elsom, Enterprise Leader, Foredyke Primary School

Further information

a) Engaging Education are a group of young entrepreneurs http://engaging-education.squarespace.com who undertake a wide range of literacy and numeracy projects in schools throughout Yorkshire
b) John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank www.youthenterprise.co.uk – supports the development of an entrepreneurial culture amongsr young people in Hull and the East Riding
c) The GreenPower Trust http://www.greenpower.co.uk objective is to advance education in the subjects of sustainable engineering and technology to young people and have created car kits like IET Formula Goblin for Primary Schools and Formula 24 for Secondary Schools and Colleges

Friday, 13 November 2015

Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge 2015

We are pleased to announce the results of the fifth annual Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge as part of the run-up to Global Entrepreneurship Week.

Sponsored by former BBC Apprentice star Ruth Badger and the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, the event allows entrants to present an enterprising idea to a judging panel made up of representatives from the private, public and community sectors.

Students had the opportunity to enter the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge under three different categories including Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Post -16.

Councillor Martin Mancey, Portfolio Holder for Energy City, said:

“There were some fantastic entries, and many of the young people who entered the competition walked away with sponsorship deals and business opportunities.”

Griffin Primary School won first place in the Primary School category for their gardening project and Nathan Jones of Newland St John’s CofE Primary School was the runner up. 

12-year-old Millie Notarantonio from St Mary’s College won the Secondary School’s category for her personalised products, with 15-year-old Connor Jones of Malet Lambert was the runner up with his bespoke t-shirts.

The Post-16 category was won by 19-year-old Lauren Bird of Coco Diamondz with her natural solution of organic and vegan friendly teeth whitening, whilst the runner up was 19-year-old Amy Chisholm of Bridlington for her health and beauty business.

Councillor Mancey continued:

“There is no doubt that Hull has many talented young people and yet again the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge has identified some of the most enterprising ones in the city.

“I look forward to seeing them all in the final.”

The winners of each section will now get the opportunity to go on to double their winnings during Global Entrepreneurship Week on Thursday 18 November.

Ruth Badger will be joined by Louise Upfold, winner Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge 2014, Heidi-Victoria Ireland of The Warren, Paul Ellis of RB, Councillor Martin Mancey andSteve Cowton of Siemens.


Heidi-Victoria Ireland, The Warren, said:

“It was a privilege to be involved in the judging panels of Ruth Badger Enterprise Challenge, we had some great enterprising ideas from all the different age ranges and there is no doubt  that Hull is leading the way in nurturing future entrepreneurial talent.

“All the winners will sell their ideas in a clear and enterprising way to Ruth Badger and her colleagues in Global Entrepreneurship Week.”

Ruth Badger, Chair of Judges, said:

“As always I am looking forward to seeing what the young people have to offer in my enterprise challenge.

“It’s always a privilege to hear their very confident pitches as they explain their business ideas and there is no doubt in my mind this is partly due to the work of the award winning John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank and Hull City Council’s commitment to youth entrepreneurship.”

Wednesday, 11 November 2015

Global Entrepreneurship Week 2015 in Hull

Hull City Council, in partnership with Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership has organised a series of events taking place from 16- 20 November to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Many people across the UK aspire to make a change and consider starting up their own business, and by connecting these individuals to practical support and potential role models, Global Entrepreneurship Week helps turns ideas into businesses of tomorrow.

This year Hull will host former BBC Apprentice stars Ruth Badger and Claire Young, Chief Executive Martin Green and Director of Education, Skills & Legacy Phil Batty of City of Culture 2017, Andy Pickles of Jive Bunny and Tidy Boys fame and young entrepreneurs Louise Upfold, Amanda Hartley, Haggai Mwiko, Louis Deane of Platform Studios, Ross Bennett Engaging Education and Hull’s very own Gold Man statue Andy Train.

It is the world's largest celebration of innovation and enterprise, active in 150 countries across the world and encourages young people to ‘Make It Happen’ by inspiring people everywhere through local, national and global activities designed to help them explore their potential as self-starters and innovators. 

Hull is putting its weight behind Global Entrepreneurship Week in order to show how enterprising its young people are and throughout November the city will host over 40 events and activities relating to entrepreneurship across many of our schools and colleges. 

Councillor Martin Mancey, Portfolio Holder for Energy City said:

"Global Entrepreneurship Week is all about how small ideas can take root and become viable business plans with the potential to grow into sustainable companies, and by putting on range of activities it is hoped that we are setting an aspirational agenda for today's young people in Hull and the surrounding region to set up their own businesses, start social enterprises, improve their communities and become innovative employees themselves.

“The council is already supporting its enterprising young people through the award winning John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank with the backing of KC and many local businesses through its Bondholder scheme, the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge, £5 Blossom and the Lee Creamer Youth Enterprise Club.”

The Youth Business International will be hosting Global Entrepreneurship Week this year.

Andrew Devenport, Chief Executive of Youth Business International, said:

"There is a great need to provide opportunities today that help entrepreneurs pursue their dreams and build the businesses of tomorrow. We are pleased that Hull City Council and its partner Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership gives its full support to this celebration of enterprise that takes place across the world - therefore showing Hull as an international hub for youth enterprise, we are particularly looking forward to hearing about the City’s live link up with young entrepreneurs in South Africa."

Ruth Badger, Patron Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership, said:

“I am delighted that Hull's Global Entrepreneurship Week is taking the message of enterprise and entrepreneurialism forward as its important to recognise and celebrate the success of young people in schools, colleges and those undertaking apprenticeships. 

“I have seen some excellent initiatives to promote enterprise amongst young people in Hull and it is great to see the support Hull City Council provides.

“It’s great to see more schools, working with their partners, driving this agenda in Hull.”

Budding entrepreneurs on Twitter can use #MakeItHappen to share anxieties, post queries about starting a business and get support from others channels involved in the programme.

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

Global Entrepreneurship Week is sponsored by a number of small and large private, public and charitable organisations including Hull City Council, the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, London Youth Support Trust, Hull Daily Mail, KC, University of Hull, Hull Training, Hull College, ABP, Siemens, Swift Group, Rollits, Tech4Schools, Hull Trains, P&0, EYMS, Sangwin Group, RB ,Ideal Standard, Smith & Nephew, Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce and Tech4Schools

Global Entrepreneurship Week 2015 will drive six major events in the city throughout the week to encourage improve and support entrepreneurship and enterprising behaviour

Monday - the iDEA Enterprise Challenge will involve students from Hull College, Catzero Business working with colleagues at Apple Pear who will be provided with a brief to come up with digital solutions to issues they are given, this event is linked to The Duke of York's iDEA Award that enables young people to develop digital businesses and gain digital skills badges linked to the industry

Tuesday – with the support of KC, international links will be the focus of the day and those involved in the youth enterprise agenda in Hull will be holding a Google Hangout with colleagues in South Africa via The Hook up Dinner based in Johannesburg, it will feature a number of young entrepreneurs

Wednesday - there will be a Post 16 Enterprise Masterclass with Ruth Badger and Martin Green heading up the judges who will be examining in detail the results of a group activity to come up with a new design and a marketing campaign for a new Caravan for the Swift Group. The judges will then decide who will walk off with a cash prize for best design and pitch

Thursday - the secondary Enterprise Masterclass will take place which will see young people taking on the task of devising a convincing marketing concept for a new Media Wall for a classroom for the Sangwin Group and delivering a pitch to Ruth Badger and colleagues, including Andy Pickles of Jive Bunny Fame

Friday - primary school pupils taking part in the "Hull Our City and the Mail at the Heart of it" event at the Guildhall will be developing a story relating to 10 great things about Hull for the Hull Daily Mail website alongside reporters and staff at Hull Daily Mail. Watching closely and available to support young people on the day will be senior executives of Hull Daily Mail and former BBC Apprentice star Claire Young and Andy Train The Gold Man

For more information about the activities and the week ahead visit www.gewhull.co.uk check out @GEW2015

Thursday, 29 October 2015

New Posts in Hull - Hull Youth Support Trust

Hull City Council working with John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank and London Youth Support Trust are establishing a new Incubator Service for Young Entrepreneurs in Hull are currently recruiting for two new Posts.

Hull Youth Support Trust - Business Support Manager
Do you know someone who is passionate about youth entrepreneurship?  Working in partnership with the London Youth Support Trust (LYST) and utilising their enterprise centre model, we will be setting up a charity to open an Enterprise Centre which will be based in the City Centre.  From there we will inspire and engage young people through outreach activities, provide affordable business space as well as delivering advice, support and mentoring so developing the abilities of young entrepreneurs to run a business working in partnership with the Hull Youth Enterprise Bank.
The person we're looking for will have responsibility for shaping the culture and success of the centre, taking responsibility for all aspects of its running as well as working with key organisations to ensure that budding entrepreneurs receive all the support and guidance they need to make a success of their business.  Knowledge of the enterprise arena and experience of working with young people is desirable however over-riding all of this is the commitment to take the LYST enterprise centre model and build on it so that it becomes a beacon for enterprise here in Hull.  
To find out more about the role contact clair@lyst.biz

Deadline for applications: 20th November 2015

Hull Youth Support Trust
The London Youth Support Trust (LYST) is working with Hull Youth Enterprise Bank and others to set up a local charity which will open an Enterprise Centre utilising their enterprise centre model.  The centre will be based in the City Centre and from there it will offer a range of enterprise related support including business space, advice and mentoring.  They are looking to appoint an Outreach and Engagement Officer.  The post is a 12 month internship funded by the Rank Foundation as part of their Time to Shine programme and is a great opportunity for a young person to gain skills and experience working within a Rank supported charity and access development and learning opportunities to support your career.

The role will begin in early 2016 for 12 months.
Salary- £14,300
Closing Date- Midday 6th November
If you are interested in the role please email your CV and a covering letter to adelle@lyst.biz

Monday, 5 October 2015

Britain’s young entrepreneurs most confident about growth prospects

Despite optimistic attitudes, business owners aged 35 and under are five times less likely to have their loan application accepted

Britain’s younger entrepreneurs are almost twice as optimistic about the future growth of their business compared to older peers, according to Albion Ventures’ third Albion Growth Report.
The report, which surveyed more than 1,000 small and medium-sized enterprises, found that 14% of entrepreneurs aged 35 and under expect to witness growth over the next two years – significantly higher than the proportion of business owners aged 45 to 54 (8%).
These growth ambitions of young entrepreneurs were reflected in the report findings on attitudes to finance. 29% of under 35 year-old business owners have attempted to raise funds within the last year, compared to 14% of middle-aged respondents. Yet the 45-54 age group were five times more likely to have their loan application accepted – 15% against 3%

The report argued that a proven track record is a major advantage when it comes to securing finance. However, 42% of under 35 year-old business owners said they would look to raise equity finance, 7% higher than business owners of all other ages.
The report claimed that difficulty accessing funding has pushed young entrepreneurs to take greater risks, with one in four (23%) using a credit card to fund their business against just 5% of older respondents, and 15% of under 35s having mortgaged a property to grow their business versus 7% of 45-54 year olds.
In addition, younger entrepreneurs were much more likely to invest in research and development (14% against 5%), hire new staff (13 against 3%) and to facilitate an ownership change (13% against 6%) compared to their older counterparts.
Patrick Reeve, managing partner at Albion Ventures, said: “The younger generation is by far the most optimistic and ambitious about the future. This pro-growth sentiment is excellent news for the UK economy as the under-35s will become increasingly influential over the years to come.
“The greater willingness of younger business leaders to use equity rather than banks to secure the funds they need suggests we’re shifting towards a more entrepreneurial model as seen in the US.”

The findings follow Growing Business’ Young Guns 2015 Index which highlighted the UK’s most impressive young entrepreneurs aged 35 and under behind 30  fantastic fast-growth companies.