Miliband to bang the drum on enterprise education

Ed Miliband will be talking to students at Ridgewood Comprehensive School as Young Enterprise launches its Company Programme for the new academic year.

The visit, tomorrow, comes as sign-ups for the Young Enterprise Company Programme in Yorkshire and Humber increased by 11 per cent in the year up to September 2012 as increasing numbers of UK schools and business leaders call on the charity to help young people develop business skills.

Nationally, demand increased by 20 per cent, with more than 25,000 students joining last year’s programme and latest figures suggest that target will be beaten this year.

Mr Miliband’s support for Young Enterprise comes ahead of a Parliamentary Reception at the House of Commons on October 24 where the charity will unveil new research showing the enormous potential that offering enterprise in the classroom has to unleash the hidden talents of the nation’s young people.

Mr Miliband said: “It’s vital we skill our young people and help build strong foundations for a culture of economic success, and that’s why the work of Young Enterprise is so valuable.

“The Company Programme in particular helps create an understanding of enterprise, showing young people that starting their own business can be a rewarding venture while providing them with the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the world of work.

“I look forward to meeting the young entrepreneurs at Ridgewood School and hearing about their work.”

Head teacher Christopher Hoyle says, “Involvement in The Young Enterprise Company Programme has benefited our students greatly.

“Those taking part in the scheme have been able to develop vital skills that will prove useful for them as they go through university and into the wider world of work.

“Mr Miliband coming in will help directly inspire the students to really push themselves so that they are better equipped to get the job that they want.

Young Enterprise is the UK’s leading enterprise education charity. Under the Company Programme young people aged 15-19 set up and run a real firm for a year under the guidance of a business volunteer.