Seventy new businesses launched through the Channel Islands Student Business Challenge

The Channel Islands Student Business Challenge is supporting 70 teams of students from seven schools in Jersey and Guernsey to start-up and run their own businesses with an initial investment of £100 per team. The Challenge, run by Barclays, EY, Ogier and Sure, kicked off with launch events for the participating students on Tuesday 10 January at the Hotel de France in Jersey and Thursday 12 January at the St Pierre Park in Guernsey.

The launch events were attended by 250 students and gave them an overview of the Challenge as well as a series of talks about different aspects of running their own business. Each team of students, aged 11 – 16, is supported by a mentor from Barclays, EY, Ogier or Sure who will help equip them with skills which are relevant to the workplace. Participating schools from Guernsey are Grammar, La Mare de Carteret and St Sampson’s High School and from Jersey are Grainville, Haute Vallee, Jersey College for Girls and Victoria College.

Teams have two months to develop their business acumen before facing a final "Dragon’s Den" where they will need to impress the judges with their abilities to run a profitable business and / or benefit the local community. Awards ceremonies will be held in May in Guernsey and Jersey to celebrate the achievements of the teams and announce the winners of the 2017 Channel Islands Student Business Challenge.

John McGuinness, Headteacher of Grainville School said "This is such a great experience for the students and gives them an excellent introduction to the business world. We are delighted to be part of the Challenge again and are looking forward to seeing our students be inspired, motivated and challenged as they develop key employability skills and bring their business ideas to life."

Kirsty Mackay, Executive Director, EY said "It is great to have Grammar and La Mare join the Challenge in Guernsey. With seven schools and seventy teams this is our biggest ever Challenge."

Kirsty continued "I am looking forward to seeing the successes and generosity of this year’s teams. Over the last four years, local charities have benefited to the tune of around £18,000 as the students have donated a share of their profits to charities including Autism Guernsey, JSPCA, Durrell and Les Bourgs Hospice."

Vicky Godley, Headteacher of La Mare de Carteret commented "As a Headteacher, having our students involved for the first time is really exciting. These are the opportunities and challenges which young people can thrive on. I am confident that our students will play their full part in what is already a proven success story for local schools and businesses working in partnership."

This year’s contestants will be trading from 16 January to 26 March and selling sweets, cakes, key rings, candles and jewellery as well as t shirts, pillows and handmade greetings cards as they compete to become winners of the Channel Islands Student Business Challenge 2017.