Making Entrepreneurship a Real Career Option for Young People

Early start for the YEA team, as we made our way to Sheffield to join Outwood City Academy for their Work Experience Week, to show entrepreneurship is a career path worth exploring.

Entrepreneurship still rarely forms a meaningful part of careers education inschools. This is particularly important in communities where young people may have less access to entrepreneurial role models, professional networks or opportunities to see business ownership as a realistic path.

For many young people, starting a business doesn't feel like a realistic option. They often believe you need to be older, have significant financial backing, come from the right background or already know exactly what you're doing.

But entrepreneurship usually starts much more simply than that. It begins with spotting a problem, identifying an opportunity and having the confidence to take the first step.

That's why it was brilliant to see the enthusiasm in the room as students got stuck into developing their own ideas. By the end of the workshop, they had created eight unqieu business concepts, from mystery fishing boxes and custom hockey equipment to a publishing and media company.

We were also delighted to welcome guest entrepreneur Daniel Peacock, Founder and CEO of Careerbay, who shared an honest account of building his business. Speaking openly about working multiple jobs to fund his idea, overcoming setbacks, adapting when things didn't go to plan and staying committed to his vision, Daniel gave students a realistic insight into what entrepreneurship really looks like.

Days like these reinforce why entrepreneurship deserves a greater place within careers education. They help young people recognise that starting a business isn't reserved for a select few, but is a pathway that anyone with an idea, determination and the willingness to learn can explore.

A huge thank you to Gurjeevan Malhi for championing entrepreneurship at Outwood City Academy, and to Lee Wilson, Carolyn Blundell, Natalie Parkin and Amie Wood-Pickering for their ongoing work to embed YEA entrepreneurship programmes across Outwood Grange Academies Trust.

It was a fantastic day, and we're excited to continue supporting more young people as they develop the skills, confidence and an entrepreneurial mind set!