Entrepreneur, investor and BBC The Apprentice interviewee Linda Plant has thrown down the gauntlet to business students at Stratford-upon-Avon College and Solihull College & University Centre.
“Can You Convince Linda Plant?” is a new bespoke educational programme conceived, developed and designed by entrepreneur and Programme Director Fi Yates, bringing together education and industry to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world commercial experience.
Drawing on her extensive international business experience, Fi has developed a practical programme designed to build entrepreneurial confidence, commercial skills and real-world business understanding. As Programme Director, she will lead the delivery of the pilot in collaboration with Linda Plant and the colleges.
Eleven students have successfully secured a place on the pilot programme, where they will take on a series of business challenges designed to develop their entrepreneurial thinking and commercial skills. Three finalists will then have the opportunity to pitch their business plans to Linda Plant and a panel of employers early next year.
Linda visited the students at Blossomfield Campus this week as they continue to prepare their business ideas. She commented: “It’s so great to see that every one of them is motivated. I have seen students who I really believe will go into business. It’s tough out there at the moment and all eleven of them have got a really good idea which they can take forward.”
Fi Yates, creator and Programme Director of the initiative, commented: “This programme is about bringing the real world of business into education and giving students the confidence, skills and opportunities to think entrepreneurially.
“I wanted to create something practical, engaging and commercially relevant, where students can experience the challenges of turning an idea into a viable business.
“Working alongside Linda and the colleges, our ambition is to build on this pilot and create opportunities for many more young people to develop their entrepreneurial potential.”
Student Archie Berry from Stratford-upon-Avon College is excited to move forward in the process. He comments: “It’s going to be great fun. Owning my own business and being my own boss is something I can see myself doing in the future. This competition gives people like me, the next generation, the opportunity to start our own businesses – and getting started early is a great idea.”
Fellow student, Gurpreet Kaur, studies at Blossomfield Campus. She says she has had sleepless nights devising her business plan and thinks Linda’s help will be invaluable. She adds: “I want to be an entrepreneur and make my family proud. I really think Linda being on hand will give me the skills I need to build my business. You can’t limit yourself when it comes to opportunities like this!”
