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Economic Regeneration and Transport
Young entrepreneurs turn Stockton Market green Young people from Stockton Riverside College are the latest to turn their hands to entrepreneurship.
I–inspire!
More than 100 students aged between 16 and 19 have been working with Stockton Council’s Enterprise Culture Project and Enterprise Made Simple to develop products to sell at a special Eco-Fair on Stockton Market. 18-year-old Philomena Makhumula-Nkhoma took part in the challenge, saying: “I really enjoyed organising the event. The experience has been great for my Business Studies course and I’m hoping this will help me in my future career.” Selling a vast range of goods from flower arrangements, customised sculptures, T-shirts and accessories, contemporary artwork, cards and gifts to bird tables and planters, eleven teams of students competed against each other to be crowned ‘Best Business’.
Left to right Amanda Rylander (Three Score Years and Ten), Mark Easby (Better), Paul Jenkins (Nurvex Media Ltd), Richard Poundford (Head of Regeneration and Economic Development Stockton Council), Alison Machin (Enterprise Coordinator Stockton Council), Paul Mines (Paul Mines Business Solutions), Vicky Lloyd (NE Day Crafts).
Businesses across Stockton Borough are being recognised for their commitment to helping young people develop the skills they need to become successful entrepreneurs. Young people preparing fruit smoothies to sell at the Eco-Fair
The Council provided each team with a £100 start-up fund, business support and expertise and advice in event planning. Richard Poundford, the Council’s Head of Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “Enterprise skills can be used in all manner of career fields – whatever your interest or expertise, you can be entrepreneurial. “I hope events like this can help encourage and inspire our young people to consider how they can use these skills in their future work life.”
Ten businesses have received an “I-inspire Enterprise Education Badge of Honour” for their work with local schools and colleges as part of Stockton Council’s Enterprise Culture Project. Each supported schools and their young people in bringing enterprise to life. Cornerstone Business Solutions, Gary Walsh Photography, Healthy Glow, i2i, Key Stage Recruitment, NE Day Crafts, Nurvex Media, Paul Mines Business Solutions, Better and Three Score Years and Ten have all been named Business Champions for Enterprise Education in Stockton Borough. Enterprise Co-ordinator for Stockton Council, Alison Machin, said: “By engaging and working with local businesses, our young people are gaining real-life business experience. We want to develop the independent sector across Stockton Borough and would like many young people to see selfemployment and entrepreneurship as a career option. These businesses play an important role in shaping that.” Stockton’s School Enterprise Culture project is run by Stockton Council and funded through the European Regional Development Fund and Stockton Communities Fund. To find out more about the project and opportunities for young people and businesses call Alison Machin on (01642) 528705 or email alison.machin@stockton.gov.uk
Getting down to business Winning Team – Green Shoots (From Left-to-right - Daniel Stevens, Kieron Nightingale, Abi Grantham.)
Meanwhile, Stockton Riverside College and Thornaby Academy are introducing a dedicated entrepreneurship courses. The courses will focus on business start-up and development and learning how to succeed as an entrepreneur. For details about the course call Nicola Errington on (01642) 865400.
Congratulations to four Borough businesses, winners at the recent Teesside Business Awards. Nifco UK was named Company of the Year for the second year running with Darchem Engineering and Five Lamps shortlisted in the same category. Nifco UK also clinched the Low Carbon award. Marshall’s of Eaglescliffe won the Heart of the Community category and were shortlisted for the Manufacturing Award, Odyssey Systems won the Services category and Tadea in Billingham won the Innovation award. Turbo Connect, PRA Business Solutions and Cornerstone Business Solutions, were also shortlisted in various categories. The Teesside winners went on to the North-East finals, where Nifco won the Low Carbon Award.