Marvin OnumonuSlough Borough Council’s Entrepreneur Skills Challenge programme will be rolled out to more schools and colleges in the town, after extra funding was secured.
Backed by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and developed with the Safer Langley Partnership, the programme first ran at Langley College earlier this year.
Behavioural specialists Lime led the sessions, which saw students from business skills, IT and hairdressing courses take part in a digital simulation.
They went through business decision-making, set up virtual enterprises, tested trading strategies and handled real-world business scenarios.
Students also discussed problem-solving, adaptability and resilience.
Councillor Puja Bedi, Lead Member Children’s Services and Lifelong Learning at Slough Borough Council, said: “This project offers a unique perspective for students and enables them to build key business skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving and financial literacy.
“This supports our commitment to skills development, innovation and business growth and ensures students develop the skills they need for future careers.
“It is an exciting and interactive approach, and with the funding extension, we hope it inspires more young people and encourages them to think big and maybe start up a business of their own one day.”
The pilot was an extension of the Choices Programme, which has run in Slough schools for five years and was funded through the Safer Slough Partnership using Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner money.
Following the pilot’s success, Lime secured further UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) funding to grow the programme across Slough.
The next phase will see the Entrepreneur Skills Challenge delivered in more schools and colleges, giving more young people access to the digital learning sessions.
The expansion is being used as a way to connect education with the needs of local businesses and the wider economy.
Mark Ashfield, founder and CEO of Lime, said: “We are thrilled to be able to build on the success of the Langley pilot and bring this programme to even more schools and colleges across Slough.
“At Lime, we are passionate about equipping young people with the skills and capabilities that are so critical to success in life and work.
“This investment allows us to expand our reach and support even more learners to grow in confidence, resilience, and ambition as they prepare for their futures.”
