Local business benefits

The Time for a Change project is currently funded to March 2011 by the North West Development Agency. The aim of the project is to build an awareness of enterprise skills in young people through a hands-on approach.  Education Business Plus recognizes the importance of raising enterprise awareness, aspirations and attitudes as key in creating future successful local entrepreneurs.

Primary school children in years 5 and 6 participate in the project, which is based around social and environmental issues. A crucial part of the project is the support given by local businesses. Business people are linked with local primary schools as Ambassadors to work with and motivate student teams.

Last year, the project was fortunate enough to be uniquely supported by Fullcolour.com. As part of the Final Challenge, students had to design a set of cards based around a chosen theme.  Fullcolour.com then kindly printed the winning cards from each school, which were then sold at school to raise additional money for chosen charities. Fullcolour.com’s support was instrumental in raising awareness of business concepts and skills required for the world of work.  The programme has also been supported by other local businesses.  Please see the Ambassadors section for details.

Benefits to a Business

  • Fulfilment of social and corporate responsibility in the local community
  • Networking with other businesses
  • Good PR opportunity

Employee Benefits

  • Opportunity to develop business skills such as interviewing
  • Forging links with the community
  • Links to Personal Development Goals

Ambassadors can provide support to a primary school in a variety of ways.  Education Business Plus provides links with the school and Ambassador to arrange the type and amount of support offered.  A full Ambassador briefing will always be given.

Ambassadors can choose from:

School visits (Business Ambassadors share best practice; see teams’ progress etc.  1 or 2 visits per Ambassador over a 6/8 week period)

Email/telephone support (Ambassadors provide business team guidance to one school; class teacher can email Ambassadors to update with children’s progress)

Judging Days Facilitating a Dragon’s Den-style judging session (held at schools as either morning or afternoon sessions.  Usually 1 or 2 judging sessions per Ambassador)

Other Support (You may be able to suggest other ways of supporting a school)

Due to the flexibility of the programme over a 6/8 week period the amount of time or the type of support given is entirely up to each Ambassador.