Students at Neale-Wade Academy in March were given an insight into running their own business by taking part in an enterprise simulation delivered by The Skills Service.

Cambs Times: Neale-Wade enterprise challengeNeale-Wade enterprise challenge (Image: Archant)

250 Year 9 students were split into random teams of seven in a simulated business environment where they were challenged to manufacture high quality products, deliver in strict timescales and meet customer satisfaction. BoomBizz™ is a fast-paced, hands on and competitive game which aims to demonstrate to young people that business and enterprise can be fun.

Naomi Robinson from the winning team in the morning session said: “Boombizz was a good way to give you a feel of what running a business is like. I learnt that it is important to keep on top of your finances!”

Sam Mandley, assistant principal, said: “Feedback from staff is that the students were ‘buzzing’ from the activity and it was great to see students who wouldn’t normally talk to each other working together. This is certainly something I would like to repeat.”

Councillor Fred Yeulett, the portfolio holder for skills at Fenland District Council, attended the event in the morning and was inspired to see the students being so passionate about business.

He said: “The Boombizz game created some healthy competition between the teams and I was particularly impressed with the way the youngsters embraced the challenge once they got over the initial tasks.”

Several key local businesses took part in the event, acting as ‘customers’ to the business teams. There were representatives from CUB UK, ALS Food and Pharmaceuticals, Roddons Housing Association, Smurfitt Kappa, The Prince’s Trust and Fenland District Council. Brook Davison has just started a graduate scheme with Smurfitt Kappa and she said that it is “so important that young people are given an insight into business at an early age and BoomBizz is a great way to do just that.”

The Skills Service works closely with all of the schools in Fenland, encouraging engagement with local employers through a variety of work-related learning activities. Find out more at www.theskillsservice.co.uk.