Oldham Enterprise Trust, the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, Oldham College and YENO (Youth Enterprise Network Oldham) enabled over 75 students from 5 Oldham Secondary Schools to attend our second Inspiring Enterprise Event. Funded by the Oldham Opportunity Area, the event was part of a larger Enterprise Project and aimed to Inspire Educate and Connect with input from young entrepreneurs.
The event was opened by Cllr Shaid Mushtaq (Oldham Council Cabinet Lead for Education and Skills) and Alun Francis (Principal and Chief Executive of Oldham College).
Schools heard from inspirational speakers Islam Ammar (who has benefitted from other aspects of the project) and Reece Douglas of Social Plug – a tech business supported by the Oldham Enterprise Fund.
Schools also engaged in enterprise skills activities with local businesses (mostly young YENO entrepreneurs who have been supported by the Oldham Enterprise Fund) – Well Kept Ltd (cleaning supplies), Sonia Ayaz (ethically sourced handbags), Calculated Performance (sports coaching), and Cornerstone (a prominent design and marketing company).
Schools also engaged in an exercise led by the Rio Ferdinand whereby they identified a type pf business that is missing from Oldham. There ideas were collated, and a video presentation made to the other schools
The event was hosted by Boshra Gjam, a Rio Ferdinand Foundation Ambassador, and held in The Oldham College who kindly provide the venue (and Lunch) free of charge. The excellent lunch was augmented by Ice cream from Grandpa Greene’s.
Students who engaged most were rewarded with a range of prizes very kindly donated by Oldham Coliseum Theatre, Northern Roots, Manchester City FC, Manchester United FC, and Team Karting. Individual Goodie Bags were filled by Well Kept Ltd, The Rio Ferdinand Foundation and The Oldham College.
Whilst formal feedback is yet to be collected, the ‘vibe’ from students and teachers was extremely positive as you can get a feel for by the photos taken (by Real Time Images) and look out for the coming video (by Brandon Denny).
We hope this will be an annual event, part of the Oldham Festival for Business, highlighting that “Oldham is an Enterprising Place” (you heard it here first!)
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