Gander Young Business of the Year sponsored by the Seashell Trust

Gander is launching the Young Business of the Year in the style of BBC’s The Apprentice in partnership with local organisation, the Seashell Trust.

This inaugural business challenge programme, will see teams of students from three Stockport based partner colleges; Aquinas, Cheadle & Marple and Stockport who will be participating in a programme based on the TV show The Apprentice!

Each ‘young business’ will each receive a start up fund of £50 from Seashell Trust, to set up a company and develop creative ways to make money, by producing and selling a product or service.

The activity is now up and running. The teams have until January to complete their task, before presenting their ideas and learning to a ‘panel of experts’ who will be awarding a prize to the most successful business in each college, with an overall winner for the best idea and execution.

Each group will have the benefit of advice and guidance from one of our Gander supporters, who are providing 5 hours of their time, over the course of the programme.

Wendy Bray, from the Seashell Trust said: “We’re delighted to be working with Gander on this new initiative. It supports local students, giving them valuable work insight and will raise the profile of our work with the profoundly disabled young people who study and live at the Seashell Trust in Cheadle Hulme, as well raising valuable funds.”

Jan Hill from Cheadle & Marple College Network added: “This exciting partnership will be great for our participating students, who are required to organise an event within their study course. This activity enables them to achieve it in a real world setting, with the benefit of local business help and guidance.”

Andrew Deighton, Gander’s co-ordinator thanked the business network for their support: “With thanks to our business supporters including Yogi from Nat West, Stuart from Trust, Fiona from Tinies, Michelle from Michelle Hay Training, Fiona from Capita TI, Darren from NK Theatre Arts, Phil from Spring & Co, Sharon from F1rst Recruitment.

Gander was established in 2015 and is bringing business and education together to build mutually beneficial relationships for the future.

By giving the workforce of the future an insight, or ‘gander’ into their business or industry, local employers are supporting the future of Stockport and its local economy.

Students benefit from seeing and hearing about the wide range of local industries and the opportunities they can provide.