Alder Grange students taste Junior Apprentice

Date published: 21 July 2010

Students at a Rawtenstall secondary school were put through their paces when they took part in a Junior Apprentice style scenario.

Year 10 students at Alder Grange Community & Technology School were tasked with two different high-pressure business challenges during Enterprise Week.

Leading businessman Chris Williams became the school’s answer to Sir Alan Sugar when he took on the role of the famous tycoon, offering the students his business perspective throughout the week.

Mr Williams, Director at Bury-based Release Money Group, said: “I was incredibly impressed with the ideas each of the teams were coming up with. There were some real stars among the students, who I’d certainly be happy to take on if should they be looking for work experience or a job when they leave school.

“It was great to be involved in the challenge – Alder Grange is a fantastic school and there’s a really positive spirit amongst all the students.”

The student entrepreneurs were set two tasks throughout the week. They were asked to design and launch their own soap, which included everything from marketing, production and selling.

Students also got the chance to glam up when they created two catwalk collections for a fashion show, with help from Freddies and Tufties hair stylists and Sunday Best.

Alder Grange teacher Deborah Brind, who organised Enterprise Week, said the students showed great business acumen throughout the challenge.

“All the students really got stuck into the tasks and worked really hard on the projects. Chris Williams has been fantastic, he really brought his business experience to the challenge and all the students were keen to ask his advice.

“The support of other local businesses has also been brilliant – the students were mentored by business people during the tasks, and it really gave them an insight into working life.”

The mentors gave advice while the students learned about conducting market research, working to a budget, calculating profits and addressing ethical issues.