School students go for The Big Deal
Posted on 22 March 2011
More than 100 students, aged 13-15, from nine schools across the region will work for ten weeks with University staff and 29 business professional mentors from multinational companies including Google, HSBC and PKF. The students, in teams of four, complete an online curriculum using the www.bigdealblogs.com website.
The Big Deal aims to excite and inspire students from disadvantaged backgrounds about enterprise and careers in business
Amy Clow
At the end of the programme, the students will present their business plans to a Dragons' Den-style judging panel in the final at the Ron Cooke Hub, the centrepiece of the first phase of the University’s campus expansion at Heslington East.
The Excellence Hub for Yorkshire and Humber, West Yorkshire Aimhigher (Leeds) and London-based charity Brightside UNIAID, run the competition in partnership with the University of York.
Speaking before today’s launch, programme co-ordinator, Amy Clow, said: “The Big Deal aims to excite and inspire students from disadvantaged backgrounds about enterprise and careers in business. We aim to link effective role models with students who do not have easy access to social and professional business networks.
“It’s an example of great partnership working, with over 18 different companies volunteering staff time. We are expecting a really exciting competition.”
The Big Deal, which is in its fourth year, was shortlisted for the Times Higher Education Widening Participation Initiative of the Year 2010.
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