European Funding to support enterprising young people

Hull City Council in partnership with the Hull Youth Support Trust are to launch an exciting new enterprise programme called “The Making Changes for Careers” aimed at young people who are not in employment or education.

As part of the scheme young people will be able to find out more about the Big 13 Enterprise Skills, as well as having the chance to access grants from the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank in order to develop their business ideas.

Young People will also have the opportunity to access an experienced business mentor who will be on hand to offer expert advice and guidance. The young people who want one will receive a start up kit that we have produced in partnership with Emma Jones of Enterprise Nation and features young entrepreneurs from Hull.

Councillor Martin Mancey, Portfolio Holder for Energy City with responsibility for employment, said:

“Hull has a national reputation for supporting its enterprising young people and I am really pleased that the Council along with its partners has managed to secure funding for another programme to support potential young entrepreneurs.

“The scheme is a fantastic opportunity for us to help support young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEETs) by turning their ideas into a viable business opportunity.”

The brand new scheme received £382,229 of funding from the European Social Fund and Youth Employment Initiative as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England.

Tracey Leedham, Youth Enterprise Officer, said:

“As a former business owner I know how important it is when setting up and developing your own business to ensure that the product or service you are providing is well-received by your potential customers.

"My team and I have a vast amount of experience and we look forward to sharing it with the next generation of young entrepreneurs by helping them to unlock their business potential.

"We look forward to working with partner teams across the project and sharing the vast amount of experience both I and my team have with the next generation of young entrepreneurs, by helping them to unlock their business potential."

Emma Jones, Founder of Enterprise Nation

" We are delighted to be working with Hull City Council to produce a start up kit for the young people involved in the Making Changes for Careers Programme and I wish Charles and his team well in helping even more young entrepreneurs in the city as it already has a national reputation for its work as seen by the case studies in the start up kit and the fact that the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank won the Enterprising Britain Competition in 2015 and was runner up in the European Enterprise Promotion Awards 2015."

Further Information:

1)            Humber Learning Consortium is the lead partner for the Springboard Hull and Humber partnership project. This activity is part financed by the European Union through the European Social Fund (ESF) and is supported by the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) to extend employment opportunities and develop a skilled workforce.

2)            The programme aims to deliver enterprise skills programmes to over 200 young people over the next two years and aims to set up 50 new businesses by young people over the next two years.

3)            The Making Changes for Careers programme has received £382,229 of funding from the European Social Fund and Youth Employment Initiative as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England. The Department for Work and Pensions (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for the England European Social Fund programme. Established by the European Union, the European Social Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support skills development, employment and job creation, social inclusion and local community regenerations.

4) The Team consists of Haggai Mwiko and Kirsty Barr who are youth enterprise advisers, Tracy Leedham Youth Enterprise Officer and Yvonne Gosling Youth Enterprise Support Officer.

 

John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank extends its influence.

A pilot project to attract aspiring young entrepreneurs based across Scarborough, Norton on Derwent, Malton and Pickering is being launched.

The Youth Enterprise Bank is looking to support enterprising young people between the ages of 13 – 21 to offer guidance, financial support and practical advice to help get their business ideas of the ground.

The YEB has already won a number of awards for the work they do including the Enterprising Britain Competition 2015. It was also a runner up in the European Enterprise Awards last November after supporting hundreds of young people in Hull and the East Riding.

Charles Cracknell Hull Youth Enterprise Manager said:

“Both the Council and YEB have engaged with enterprising individuals from Scarborough and Ryedale over the years, so it was only natural for the team to partner up with colleagues in the area to expand the offer and encourage young people to take control of their future.

“We hope that young people based in these areas will take the opportunities offered by the YEB and that local businesses within the community will consider becoming mentors to assist the young entrepreneurs.

“With the entrepreneurial spirit spreading across the UK it is essential that we nurture home-grown talent and give young people the chance to consider running their own business.”

Councillor William Oxley, Ryedale District Council, said

"We are delighted that this pilot project to benefit young people with business ideas will now be brought to Norton on Derwent, Malton and Pickering and would hope to see it rolled out across Ryedale in the future. 

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of a rural area and we need to encourage and support the spirit of enterprise. It is another way in which businesses can engage with young people to help develop both employability and enterprise skills, an area in which RDC is already actively involved.

“Hull is a beacon in the field of enterprise education and youth entrepreneurship  and we are excited by this initiative and working with Hull City Council."

Tina Boden, founder of Enterprise Rockers, said:

“As a group that works with small businesses across the UK and champions of Micro Biz Matters Day we are delighted to be working with Hull City Council and the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank in promoting the Big 13 enterprise skills and your youth entrepreneurship programme.

“As I travel up and down the country it is obvious to me that Hull has managed to put all the ingredients together to make a fantastic youth enterprise programme and I hope that in Scarborough and Ryedale we can see young people develop their enterprising idea thanks to the great work that the YEB do.”

To find out more, please visit www.youthenterprise.co.uk

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The Youth Enterprise Bank and The Youth Enterprise Bank and its management committee have always been supported by, and involved, young entrepreneurs and local businesses and in the last three years has received significant input from Hull based telecommunications company KC (£60,000).

The Youth Enterprise Bank also has a Bondholder scheme  http://www.jcyeb-bondholders.co.uk enabling local businesses to donate from £250 to £1000. These funds are used to support local young entrepreneurs with the bondholders being recognised for their support and commitment to young people and the local economy.

Have you got what it takes to help a young entrepreneur?

Businesses in the city are being urged to support young entrepreneurs by becoming business mentors.

Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership and Hull City Council are looking for businesses to take part in a mentoring programme to encourage aspiring young people to start their own businesses.

Young entrepreneurs benefit greatly from the support of business mentors who play a crucial part in the development and success of their company, and it also gives mentors an opportunity to be recognised for the work they are doing in the local community.

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

“We are delighted to be working with the Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership to secure more mentors for the ever growing number of young entrepreneurs in the city and we are always happy to hear from experienced business owners willing to help and advise the next generation.

“Our businesses and start-ups are at the centre of the North’s economic growth, and nothing beats receiving tips and advice first-hand from professionals within a similar industry.

“Our aim is to ensure that we, alongside a business mentor, can support each and every young entrepreneur across the city so that they never feel like they have to face a challenge alone."

Companies who engage with the mentor programme will receive official accreditation from the John Cracknelll Youth Enterprise Bank for investing their time and effort into assisting enterprising start-ups, whilst having the opportunity to meet other partners and exchange ideas on the city’s commercial issues and play an integral part in shaping future initiatives through the Hull Youth Enterprise.

 Hannah Crookes, Volunteer Coordinator at the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank and Vice-Chair of Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership added:

"The work is highly satisfying for volunteers, and often inspirational, in both understanding and witnessing first-hand how young people overcome seemingly insurmountable hurdles, both in their business and private lives in order that they can create their own jobs. Invariably, the clients are incredibly grateful for the time provided by the volunteers. I have certainly found my time as a mentor for the JCYEB very rewarding."

If you are a business or have experience in running a business and are willing to share your drive and enthusiasm and are able to meet once a month, we want to hear from you.

To find out more contact charles.cracknell@hullcc.gov.uk , call 07990510211 and follow us on Twitter @HullsEnterprise.

ENDS

Further Information:

The mentor programme has been developed to provide an environment for young people to turn their business idea into a reality.

Clients come up with a business idea and they are provided access to an office unit. During that time, the mentors will assist the young entrepreneurs with their business plans, accounting systems, and help them monitor their performance against set targets on a monthly basis. 

Assistance is also provided with marketing and promotion, and sometimes funding.

The objective is to enable clients to build sustainable businesses and prepare them for the commercial world.

Shadow Small Business Minister visit to Hull's Enterprising Young People

Shadow Small Business Minister, Bill Esterson, is to visit Hull on 16th February. He is meeting organisations that are involved in the city's youth enterprise agenda and some of the young entrepreneurs who have received support.

Whilst he is in Hull he will meet with a number of young entrepreneurs who have received support from the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, teachers involved in the Be Enterprising Group of teachers and tutors as well as representatives of London Youth Support a Trust, who along with Hull City Council are establishing a new incubator centre for young entrepreneurs.

Bill Esterson MP Shadow Small Business Minster

“I was a director of a small business for 15 years before I became an MP and am more than aware that Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They create the jobs that we need. They are crucial at every level of a strong and thriving economy that works for employer and staff - I am particularly pleased to come to Hull following its success in last years Enterprising Briain Awards and the European Enterprise Promotion Awards to see how as a city that you support young entrepreneurs and are encouraging young people in schools and colleges to develop their enterprise skills. I am also looking forward to hear more about Hull's developing links with young entrepreneurs in Johannesburg in South Africa"

Maureen Foers OBE Chair John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank said

"We are delighted that the Shadow Small Business Minister is to visit Hull and to see what we are doing to support our enterprising young people through helping them to develop their enterprise skills whilst at school and college and helping them to set up in business. Hull is gaining a reputation for its work in supporting enterprising young people in a partnership approach and we hope that Bill will find some of what we are doing to help develop a national approach to supporting enterprising young people interesting."

Ross Bennett MD of Engaging Education & Chair Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership

"We are looking forward to welcoming Bill to Hull, as an MP and a former business owner he knows what it is like running a business and he knows what challenges small business face day in day out trying to survive. We are particularly pleased that he is coming to talk to those that support young entrepreneurs as well as a number of young entrepreneurs that have received support from the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank"

Further information

Bill Esterson was elected MP for Sefton Central in 2010 and was appointed Shadow Minister for Small Business in September 2015 and is a former small business owner for 15 years.

On his appointment as Shadow Minister Bill Esterson said “We all need small businesses to thrive. I want to see Britain become a high skilled, high wage economy that works for everyone. Small businesses will be crucial in achieving that goal. I look forward to my new role fighting for small businesses in Sefton Central and around the country, and speaking up on their behalf."

The Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership was established 15 years ago and has championed the interests and needs of enterprising young people through the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge, the Be Enterprising Group of Teachers and Tutors, as well as through high profile events during Global Entrepreneurship Week.

THE INVESTMENT IN YOUNG PEOPLE AWARD IS NOW HERE

Hull City Council and the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank are proud to announce that in partnership with Young Chamber UK they are now offering the Investment in Young People Award (IiYP).

IiYP is a National Award. It recognises the important work that employers do in supporting a young person’s:
• understanding of the world of work
• gaining of  employability skills required to secure meaningful employment in the future
• development of their enterprise skills that enables them to develop their own businesses in the future.
The scheme is aimed at recognising an employer’s contribution in assisting young people aged from 5 to 25 to achieve this.

IiYP has been developed and is managed by Young Chamber UK, a social enterprise, in conjunction with a range of education business partnership organisations (EBPOs) from across the country, many of which will act as ‘local agents’ for IiYP and will carry out the on-site verification visits prior to the approval of the IiYP Award. The Award has received the full endorsement of the British Chambers of Commerce and has attracted interest from the Government as a way of recognising the work that businesses at doing to enable our young people to have a great future.

As strong supporters of young people in the region, the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank in partnership with Hull City Council jumped at the opportunity to become involved and support working with local employers who recognise the importance of working with young people to develop their skills.


Cllr Martin Mancey stated that:

We are very keen to recognise the work that employers throughout the area do in providing opportunities for young people to understand the world of work and giving them opportunities to further develop their enterprise and employability skills. We therefore welcome the establishment of the Investment in Young People Award  in Hull.”

Kevin Smith, CEO at Young Chamber UK commented:

“It is already clearly evident that employer engagement boosts the job prospects of young people, and supported by the British Chambers of Commerce, we are able to encourage many more employers to support more young people develop their employability skills. Gaining the IiYP demonstrates an employers’ commitment to the employability development of young people and highlights the different ways in which employers continue to support this agenda. We are working across the country with different organisations, and look  forward to seeing employers from Hull join those already in receipt of this award.”  

Hannah Crookes, Volunteer Coordinator for the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank commented:

“IiYP is an opportunity for employers to gain recognition for their work in supporting the development of the skills of our future workforce. Young people need support in knowing

Further Information please visit http://www.youngchamber.com/iiyp

MicroBizMattersDay on January 8th

The John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank and the Youth Enterprise Team of Hull City Council are to play a significant part in #MicroBizMattersDay on January 8th to celebrate the contribution made by Micro Businesses to UK Economy. As part of the day, micro businesses across the UK are being encouraged to give 8 minutes of their time to support to other micro businesses. In Hull the JCYEB has commissioned a video featuring Weasie Wears, Apple Pear, Engaging Education, Labrascals and Millie Rose that will be used on the day as part of the Enterprising Young People Hour, in the video the Hull young entrepreneurs will be giving 1 minute tips on youth entrepreneurship and the Big 13 enterprise skills.

Councillor Martin Mancey, Portfolio Holder

“ It’s fantastic that young entrepreneurs in Hull are supporting Micro Biz Day 2016 by playing an active part in the Enterprising Young People Hour and by giving up their time to support other young entrepreneurs across the UK . Hull’s involvement  in this annual day of recognition, action and learning further illustrates our commitment to youth entrepreneurship and micro businesses”

Tina Boden Founder of Enterprise Rockers and Micro Biz Day

“ We are delighted that Hull  through its work in supporting micro businesses, in particular young entrepreneurs, will be joining us on 8 January 2016 as part of Micro Biz Matters day, on the day hundreds of thousands of micro business owners – we really hope it will be 1 million – will be giving 8 minutes (or more) of their time to help other micro business owners somewhere in the world. The three main areas of focus for #IGave8 minutes of action to help other micro enterprise owners are Customers, Cash flow and Confidence”

Ross Bennett Chair Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership

“Young people who set up in a business are just like any other person that does apart from one key fact that there is a tendency for organisations and large businesses not to take them seriously yet they, like all micro businesses, are playing a vital role in ensuring that our economy turns the corner. Britain’s micro businesses in general and younger entrepreneurs in particular are almost twice as optimistic about the future growth of their business compared to older peers.

So in a nutshell it’s not always about high growth and expansion for young people, it’s about enjoying what they are doing and many are wanting to put back into their community, not because it’s the trendy thing to do but because it’s the right thing to do and for that reason I am pleased that so many young people are making a contribution to #MicroBizMattersDay 2016.”

Further information

MICRO Biz  Day is run by Enterprise Rockers and SAGE with backing from PolicyBee, Lorraine Allman and Adrian Ashton
www.microbizmattersday.rocks

The JCYEB supports young entrepreneurs in Hull and East Riding www.youthenterprise.co.uk

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."