Specifically designed for young people who have difficulties with learning and/ or have disabilities, it offers practical experience of running their own company, supported by their teacher and volunteer business advisers. In setting up and running their own company, students elect a board of directors from amongst their peers, raise share capital, and market and finance a product or service of their own choice. At the end of the year they present a report and accounts to their shareholders.
Content and delivery
Team Programme companies operate over one or two years, and Young Enterprise provides materials and initial training to teachers and volunteer business advisers. There is flexibility in timing and delivery appropriate to the varying support requirements of the students.
Team Programme is a unique opportunity for students with a range of learning support requirements to share and succeed in an activity which allows them to take responsibility for the management, production, sales, marketing and financial roles of running a real company.
Through running a Team Programme company young people gain:
- increased confidence and self esteem;
- effective work and social skills;
- an understanding of how a business operates;
- the ability to work with adults outside the home or school environment;
- the opportunity to demonstrate their potential to employers.
During their year of trading, Young Enterprise companies have the opportunity to participate in local, national, and in some cases international trade fairs where they can sell their products, market their services, and so boost their sales and experience.
