Business Bulletin

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East Ayrshire schools mean business

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Welcome to the Business Enterprise Bulletin With the official launch of the Council’s £1million Business Enterprise Fund, schools are taking steps to set up new Business and Enterprise Skills Centres (BESCs).

Each establishment’s centre is different, in keeping with the individual plans and aspirations of the school. As time goes on and businesses take shape, there will be more and more

news to report. Future issues of this bulletin will keep you informed and news will also feature in local press.

If you have an interesting event or story you would like to share, please contact Elaine Scott, PR Officer, on 01563 576013 or email elaine.scott@east-ayrshire.gov.uk.

Around the schools…

Doon Academy Doon’s BESC will support young people in learning entrepreneurial and retail skills.

Pupils aim to set up an online business to sell products manufactured in the school and in the local community.

Doon is also developing new skills-based qualifications in retail and engineering. In addition, the school is consulting with business leaders on the establishment of an engineering facility linked to renewables.

The school based BESC has a planned launch date of February 2012.

Kilmarnock Academy

hospitality and events management programmes.

The school’s BESC will provide young people with the opportunity to improve literacy skills through running a school radio station. Building work will be carried out to establish the studio.

Loudoun also aims to become the first Co-operative school in Scotland, through links to the Co-operative Society. Potential BESC launch date is February 2012.

The second part of the programme is to develop practical skills in the design and manufacture of products which will be marketed and sold online via an East Ayrshire e-commerce website.

Grange Academy Young people from S1-S6 are planning to develop design, manufacturing, marketing, e-commerce and retail skills through the use of industry-standard equipment, which will be used to produce a range of plastic, wood and metal products to be sold online.

The work of the young people will be supported by a range of local partners.

Pupils will manufacture a replica of the Burns First Edition printing press, commissioned by the school. Senior pupils will establish a company to market and sell Burns memorabilia online. This work in the BESC – due to formally open in January 2012 - will link to the new Scottish Studies course in the school.

New skills-based qualifications are being developed and a business link has been established with L & M Surveys, Kilmarnock, to support pupils with Computer Aided Design and manufacture. Planned BESC launch date is 23 February 2012.

Loudoun Academy Loudoun’s BESC will be established in the refurbished lecture theatre to deliver programmes that develop skills in tourism, finance, business and creative industries.

Young people will work with business partners to gain skills in the hospitality sector and explore setting up and running their own businesses. There will also be the opportunity to design, make and sell products created in school.

A range of programmes and qualifications is in development. Pupils have established links with Enterkine House to support

Stewarton Academy Stewarton is creating working areas in the school to support the delivery of Advanced Higher and Baccalaureate programmes in partnership with other schools and universities. An additional programme will focus on creative industries and the development of skills in digital media and performance.

New skills-based qualifications are in development. Pupils have established links with Lochaven International Ltd, Sainsbury’s and Thirst Restaurant to support the course and programmes delivered in the BESC, which will be opened in early 2012.

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Council backs £1 million schools enterprise push At the launch of the ambitious £1million education programme, young people from schools across East Ayrshire learned how to be entrepreneurs from one of the best in the world – Sir Tom Hunter.

Ninety senior pupils, 16 teachers, local business people and Council representatives attended an inspirational seminar in St Joseph’s Academy, Kilmarnock.

The youngsters heard first from local boy Sir Tom, who famously began his career selling trainers from the back of a van. He said: “You must enjoy what you do. When you get up in the morning, it’s your choice whether you have a good attitude or a bad attitude”.

He also highlighted the importance of “great teachers” in young people’s lives – and warned, “You’ve got to have a bit of a brass neck to be an entrepreneur”.

The fascinated audience also enjoyed a high-octane performance (including mandolin playing) from Dr Peter Hughes, Chief Executive of Scottish Engineering, who began by telling them: “I am the jammiest person in the world. Sir Tom thinks he has the best job in the world? No, I have. I wake up in the morning and I’m buzzing. I love engineering!”

Dr Hughes was a great favourite with the young people, especially when he dished out fivers for correct answers. He emphasised the importance of determination, pointing out that he was “typical Scottish working class”, with dad a farm labourer and mum a village postie.

The budding young entrepreneurs also had the chance to show their skills in practical workshops. Each group pitched a product to business leaders and planned its launch, in a ‘Dragons’ Den’type challenge.

Generous entrepreneur Sir Tom has also set up an annual £5,000 prize for the youngster who comes up with the most innovative idea in the next year – to be decided by fellow pupils.

Innovative programmes aim to address identified skills gaps such as effective communication, planning and organising, problem solving, team working and leadership. BESCs will concentrate on growing Scottish industries such as tourism, food and drink, life sciences, finance, creative industries and renewables Executive Director of Educational and Social Services Graham Short stated that the fund was “specifically designed to make sure young people leaving school were ‘business-ready”.

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council, said: “There is great enthusiasm in schools for our very ambitious programme and there is absolutely no reason why East Ayrshire should not produce more success stories like Sir Tom Hunter in years to come”.

Councillor Hugh Ross, Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning, said: “The pupils left motivated and inspired, with improved knowledge of the skills required to be successful in business and in a range of workplaces – and they learned from the best in the business”.

Dr Peter Hughes

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Sky’s the limit for Knockroon kids’ enterprise Local youngsters are seizing the chance to build a working future for themselves with the help of enterprising business Hope Homes, currently building the new sustainable community at Knockroon with the Prince’s Charities Foundation.

Directors Ian and Anne Hope, in partnership with East Ayrshire Council, have set up an ambitious education programme involving pupils from Auchinleck and Cumnock academies. In a series of training activities over the next year, young people will develop skills to prepare them for the world of work.They will train at Knockroon with skilled tradesmen in civil engineering, plumbing, joinery, planning, electrical work and marketing.

At the 15 November launch of the Knockroon Business Enterprise and Skills Centre (BESC), Ian Hope welcomed pupils, Council representatives and education staff.

He said: “We would like to develop a strong bond between business and education and we see this enterprise at Knockroon as an additional bolt-on to support the excellent curriculum already being delivered in schools.

“In the immediate future, we need to get designing, manufacturing, marketing and selling Knockroon products – and the

sky is the limit if we get it right.

We need to build a student team to help deliver this.”

At the launch event, visitors saw six pupils from each school taking part in learning activities and toured the stunning showhomes - in a street named The Kirk’s Alarm - designed to reflect the rich architectural tradition of 17th century Ayrshire. Every detail is perfect, from the wrought iron railings to the sandstone garden walls.

Anne Hope said: “The young people will be working initially on constructing timber garage doors. Some will be based in their own on-site centre, selling products they have created, such as sustainable garden log stores, composters and

garden gates.Youngsters will also be given a house of their own to work on, as they learn skills and trades throughout the year”.

Since the visitor centre opened in October, 3,300 visitors have viewed the new homes, with 1240 on the opening weekend alone.

The whole development – in which Prince Charles is taking a keen personal interest – will feature 600-700 homes at Knockroon, on the edge of the historic town of Cumnock and Dumfries House Estate.

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council, said: “This unique project is the only one of its kind in Scotland. The forwardthinking partnership between Cumnock and Auchinleck Academies, the Council and Hope Homes is a strong one and it will be exciting to see how this develops in the future”.

Councillor Jim Roberts, Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning, said: “This joint education business initiative presents a wonderful opportunity for local young people to learn from experts in various trades and professions in a real working environment”.

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New skills centre for St Joseph’s St Joseph’s Academy became the first Kilmarnock school to formally launch its new Business and Enterprise Skills Centre (BESC) in a bid to make pupils more entrepreneurial and ‘business ready’.

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Business leaders Heather Dunk

Kilmarnock College

Norman Drummond

Drummond International

Ian and Anne Hope

Hope Homes Scotland

Dr Peter Hughes OBE Scottish Engineering

Sir Tom Hunter

West Coast Capital

Willie Mackie

Clydesdale Bank

Marie Macklin Klin Group

Keith Murray

Lochaven International Ltd

David Ross

Keppie Design

Craig Stevenson Braehead Foods

Mark Strudwick

The Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust

Dates for your diary The school is enthusiastic about the ambitious £1 million Business Enterprise Fund launched by East Ayrshire Council to develop enterprising skills and attitudes in pupils across nine East Ayrshire academies. St Joseph’s plans to build on its existing tradition of enterprise and innovation.

Guests invited to the launch event included elected members and Council officers, who were welcomed by Headteacher Alan Ward and entertained by Gabe Gunn’s singing and Ruaraidh Quinn on guitar. One of the school’s business mentors, Craig Stevenson, managing director of Braehead Foods, also enthused the young audience with his experience of setting up in business.

S1 – S3 pupils put on a marketplace event, with stalls around the assembly hall highlighting their range of business ideas.

One team had the excellent idea of setting up ‘rent-a-tie’ – so pupils in trouble from teachers for not wearing school uniform could rent one of the supply of ties for just 50p a day. It’s been so successful, the budding young entrepreneurs are now thinking of branching out into pencils and rubbers.

Guests also visited the school’s new enterprise hub, which has been set up to look more like a business office than a classroom, with a reception desk, waiting area and huge Lord Sugar-type boardroom table.

S3 and S6 pupils from the new Enterprise and Employability class spoke about their proposal to set up a ‘massive’ conference event in 2013, inviting speakers and delegates from all over the world. ‘Re-Inventing the Town’ will focus on changing attitudes and perceptions about Kilmarnock and surrounding area.

David Ritson, Principal Teacher CfE and Enterprise, said: “We are aiming high. We’ll be inviting notable figures such as Alex Salmond and Prince Charles, as well as former pupils of the school who have gone out into the world and achieved success in different fields”.

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council, said: “East Ayrshire schools mean business. We’re investing £1 million in our young people’s future and have attracted backing from business leaders local and national to help make this training programme a success”.

Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning Councillor Hugh Ross said: “I was very impressed by the innovative ideas the youngsters had come up with, for the four businesses in the school. I look forward with interest to seeing how these ambitious plans develop over the next year.”

Getting started Six young people from each secondary school and 50 Kilmarnock College students will attend a Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust event on 13 January 2012, in the Park Hotel, Kilmarnock, to help them take their first steps in setting up their own businesses in the future.

Students will join in workshops on marketing and raising finance and will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with entrepreneurs.

Winning ideas The final of Sir Tom Hunter’s ‘young entrepreneur’ competition for the most innovative idea by any pupil will be held on Wednesday 18 January 2012, in the Council Chambers. The top pupil will win £1000 for his/her bright idea - and £4000 for his/her school.

Good practice Following on the success of the November Business Leaders’ and Young People’s Conference, business leaders will also join in a ‘good practice’ conference to motivate and inspire teachers involved in the BEF programme, on 17 February 2012.

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Getting ready for the world of work Students at James Hamilton Academy delighted guests with their drive and enthusiasm for learning brand new skills to help prepare them for the world of work.

Councillors, business leaders and members of the local community enjoyed a film presentation and whistle-stop tour round the school’s new business and skills bases – and the whole event was organised and led by the young people themselves.

Pupils were celebrating the formal launch of their new Business and Skills Enterprise Centre (BESC) complete with high-tech engineering and media equipment, funded by the Council’s Business Enterprise Fund.

Head Teacher Janis Teale said: “We have been fortunate to receive over £100,000 and without that, these new courses could not be delivered.They are not rehashed existing programmes, but brand new courses to address skills gaps, so that young people can leave school with qualifications they need to get jobs”.

Pupils showed off their work in painting and decorating, digital media and engineering.They also took visitors on a tour of the highly popular school shop, ‘Jimmy Express Supplies’, which they run, helping them understand finance and how to run a business.

Fourteen S3 and seven S6 pupils are taking part in this pilot year of the course, but in future years it will be open to all.

In addition to six standard grades, the students will gain SQA qualifications in Construction

Crafts, Digital Media, Engineering and Steps to Work, as well as Junior Sports Leader Awards.

As well as developing skills, the courses are having a very positive effect on young people’s attitudes and behaviour.

Arran Wilson, S3, said: “I work better with others now.This is something I struggled with last year. I’m enjoying all my courses and I have 100% attendance this year”.

Headteacher Janis Teale said: “Arran and some of the other pupils have found a purpose in education that maybe was not there for them before”.

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council, said: “This pupil-led, hands-on way of working is to be commended and even though it’s early days, the signs of success are already there for all to see”.

Attending the event, Councillor Hugh Ross, Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning, said: “I was extremely impressed not only by the skills displayed by pupils and by objects which they had made for sale - but also by their knowledge and understanding of the courses and their relevance to their future employment”.