BELMONT Academy and Marr College are just two of the schools in Ayrshire gaining from a valuable entrepreneurial experience.

More than 130 pupils, from across Ayrshire, will be taking part in Young Enterprise Scotland (YES) where they will be equipped with skills needed to start their own business.

UK Steel Enterprise (UKSE) has granted the organisation £2,500 for its ‘Company Programme’ initiative. 

The year-long initiative is designed for pupils aged 16 to 18, who are tasked with setting up and managing a business. 

This year alone, nine schools throughout Ayrshire will be benefitting from the programme.

This sees entrepreneurs create a product or service, assign real-world roles, such as financial secretary and marketing manager, and develop business plans.

Previously student projects include: jewellery and children’s books or clothing, which are then sold through various channels, such as online platforms and at local trade fairs.

Teams then decide how they most effectively use their profits. 

At the end of the course, teams will attend a national competition to showcase their successes in the hopes of being named Company of the Year.

Geoff Leask, chief executive at Young Enterprise Scotland, said: “The Company Programme is based upon the belief that learning is best achieved through the act of doing. 

"Pupils are not only faced with having to build something from scratch, they have to adapt to working in groups and deal with the same issues faced by any real, functioning business.

“I am hugely grateful to UKSE for its contribution, which will see us secure a strong presence in Ayrshire this year and ensure that local pupils receive the training and support needed to take part.”

Anne Clyde, regional manager at UK Steel Enterprise, said: “It is absolutely crucial that we invest in our young people, providing them with the skills needed to help them forge their own success."