The Young Enterprise programme is not a business game, but a real business experience that delivers an exciting, practical, hands-on experience for young people. It is a nationally recognised programme sponsored by HSBC in which students set up and run their own company over the course of one academic year.
Students set up a real registered company, elect a board of directors from among their own peers, raise share capital then manufacture, market and finance a product or service of their own choice. At the end of the year they liquidate the company and present a Company Report and Company Accounts.
The greatest reward for taking part is in the personal development of each participant, however, there is also the possibility of winning awards in the annual Company Competitions.
Companies are not judged solely on profits, but on how well they have grasped the principles of business and what they have personally gained, so technically they could win even if they have made a loss. There is also an optional (and very easy) exam, so students can also pick up an extra qualification too.
External advisers from industry are on hand to help you and training is provided for those of you who chose to be directors.