A scheme which has helped more than 30,000 young people to develop business skills has returned with a new Dragons’ Den-style competition added.
Staffordshire County Council’s Ignite programme is back for a sixth year and students will be invited to work in teams to develop a business idea and pitch it to a panel of judges with prizes up for grabs.
Delivered by Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, the scheme supports students to develop real-world business skills through classroom learning, online modules and intensive workshops, helping them to build confidence and develop skills in areas such as marketing, finance, business planning and teamwork.
The Ignite Pitch Challenge has been designed to add fun and a competitive element to the programme, while helping students put what they’ve learned into practice.
Martin Murray, the county council’s acting leader and cabinet member for economy and skills, said: “Ignite continues to make a real difference for young people across Staffordshire, helping them to develop the skills and confidence they need for the future.
“The new pitch challenge is an exciting addition to the programme and will give students a fantastic opportunity to bring their ideas to life, work as a team and learn what it takes to pitch a business idea.”
More than 4,500 school and college students took part in Ignite last year.
