Enterprising Students Battle It Out In Business Challenge Final

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Students from five schools from around the UK battled it out yesterday in the national final of the Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) Real Business Challenge after successfully competing against over 15,000 other students in regional business competitions at the end of last year.

The Real Business Challenge (RBC), organised by Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd (CCE), in conjunction with regional development agencies, Young Chamber and Edexcel, is an enterprise initiative designed to give students between the ages of 14 and 15 genuine business experience. Regional finals were hosted in Scotland, Yorkshire, London, Wales and the Midlands; working to a strict deadline, the teams were tasked with generating ideas for the design, marketing, distribution and production of a new soft drink to be launched during the 2012 Olympics. Throughout the challenge, they were mentored by business professionals who provided them with expert insight and advice, including Apprentice runners-up Kate Walsh and Claire Young.

The winning teams from the five regional finals were invited to participate in the first ever national RBC final at The Tate Modern yesterday, Wednesday 3 March 2010. At the event they were set a new business challenge to tackle, benefitting once again from the input of business mentors before presenting their final ideas to the RBC judges. On the judging panel were representatives from Edexcel, Young People's Enterprise Forum, SecEd and CCE. Also attending and lending his support to the event was Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, who announced the winning school, Park View Academy in Haringey, London.

Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, said: "Enterprise education helps young people to develop the employability skills that will make them an asset to future employers. Activities such as The Real Business Challenge provide an invaluable opportunity for students up and down the country to gain the enterprise experience and the confidence that they need to succeed in the world of work. It is great to see employer involvement in this event too - this kind of engagement from business and employers underpins successful enterprise education."

Jim Fox, head of public affairs at CCE, commented: "The Real Business Challenge provides students with a real opportunity to practice skills that will give them a competitive edge in the job market. Getting them to channel their self expression and creativity into such an immediately relevant business challenge provides the perfect opportunity for their talents to truly shine through. "It is thrilling to see students from across the UK benefiting from the Real Business Challenge, and CCE is keen to expand the initiative going into 2010 and beyond.",

Paul Montague, Curriculum Development Manager, Edexcel said: "These students are the future of the economy and it is truly encouraging to see the innovative ideas and enthusiasm they have shown for the Real Business Challenge. Having the right business skills is essential for young people in an increasingly competitive job market. This challenge will give them experience of working in the real-life business environment and Edexcel are delighted to be involved in the judging process."

Alex McWhirter, Assistant Director - Business, Yorkshire Forward said: "Working with the Young People's Enterprise Forum, Yorkshire Forward has supported the Real Business Challenge since its inception five years ago. It is an excellent example of a strategic collaborative partnership which brings real benefits to the business community and to education. The Real Business Challenge has become a platform for Coca-Cola Enterprise's corporate social responsibility strategy as well as an integral part of their management development programme. For young people this is a valuable opportunity to bring their learning alive working alongside a major employer. Participating in an enterprise challenge like this helps young people develop the key skills employers need for the future which in turn is a key feature of increasing the economic prosperity of the Yorkshire & Humber region."

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Contact details
For further information and comment, please contact Elisabeth Middlemas or Kate Ward at 3 Monkeys Communications on cocacolaenterprises@3-monkeys.co.uk / 020 7009 3100.

Notes to editors

The five finalist schools are:
• Park View Academy, Haringey, London
• Bishop of Llandaff, South Wales
• Clayton Hall Business and Language College, Staffordshire
• Queen Margaret's School, Yorkshire
• Calderglen High School, East Kilbride, Scotland

About Coca-Cola Enterprises: Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd (CCE) is a UK based subsidiary of Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc, the world's largest marketer, producer and distributor of The Coca-Cola Company's (TCCC) products.

Coca-Cola Enterprises is responsible for manufacturing, selling and distributing over 80 different soft drinks products across Great Britain, employing around 4,500 people across seven manufacturing sites and a number of regional offices and depots.

CCE is committed to minimising the environmental impact of its products and operations, with a particular focus on sustainable packaging, water stewardship, and energy and climate protection.

For further information please visit www.cokecce.co.uk

About Coca-Cola Enterprises Real Business Challenge

• Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd devised the Challenges, ran teacher development days and provided staff to work alongside the students during the final and provide winners' prizes
• The Challenges are linked to the national curriculum, designed to give young people an insight into the 'real business' world and an opportunity to learn 'employability' skills through the completion of a one day whole Y9/10 problem solving activity
• The Coca Cola Enterprises Real Business Challenge was conceived in Yorkshire six years ago with 10 schools taking part. Each year since then an average of 82
• schools take part. To date over 50,000 pupils have undertaken the Enterprise Challenge
• In 2009 the programme was mapped to the Edexcel Work Skills Award to accredit the Challenge learning activity and piloted in 10 schools in Wales