Isle of Wight Enterprise Lab

49 students from Island High schools took part in an “Enterprise Lab” workshop learning to pitch and present their business ideas and to solve real problems set by real businesses.

The students from Medina High School and Ryde High School spent four hours at Isle of Wight Economic Partnership’s Innovation Centre in Newport, working with local businesses to develop their skills and give them a taste of the rewards and challenges of being in business. Business people form across the Island gave their time to encourage students to hone their business skills

Working with IWEP’s Enterprise Hub and the Chamber of Commerce’s Education Business Partnership the workshop was staged as part of our work to encourage young people and develop a motivated workforce to ensure the Island’s future business success.

Prizes were awarded for the best pitches to business people in a “Dragon’s Den” type scenario. One of the prize winners, Bryony Willett of Medina High School presented her request for more practical work and business workshops to Brian Bailey of Roma Homes, Linda Draper Management Consultant and Paul Wood of Navigate Solutions, she said, “the training about giving short “elevator” pitches was brilliant, it really helped me to build my confidence and get across my points in a fast and organised way.”