MONMOUTHSHIRE County Council has announced three special events offering secondary school students the opportunity to discover how inspirational guests set up their own businesses. Entrepreneurs who are role models from the Big Ideas Wales project, Glenda Jones, Jayne Brown and Kevin Mansell-Abell, and a guest speaker from the Wales Co-op will be the keynote speakers.

The events will be held in Abergavenny’s King Henry VIII School on 16th November, Chepstow School the following day and Caldicot School on Wednesday 18th November. Students will attend an interactive business generation session covering marketing, finance and how to pitch a venture to a team of dragons. They will also receive tips from local business experts and mentors and learn what funding and career opportunities are available.  These events will celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week, running from 16th to 22nd November.

The council is in its first year as a Global Entrepreneurship Week partner and hopes that the events will inspire young people to learn about all aspects of entrepreneurship including female and social entrepreneurship and mentoring support.  The programme will benefit students by providing self-confidence, self-belief, motivation, determination, creativity and innovation.  It will form part of a week of global activities that highlight and celebrate entrepreneurship as well as offering practical support to those interested in setting up in business or developing networks.

Councillor Bob Greenland, the council’s cabinet member with responsibility for innovation and enterprise commented: “Monmouthshire’s priorities include our schools and the promotion of business with job creation so consequently we wholeheartedly support Global Entrepreneurship Week.  I hope that the county’s secondary school students enjoy this event and make the most of the opportunities offered.”

The official hashtag for Global Entrepreneurship Week UK is #GEWmakeit.

Andrew Devenport, chief executive of youth business international, the organisation that coordinates Global Entrepreneurship Week UK, said: “Global Entrepreneurship Week is celebrated in over 140 countries and provides practical support and encouragement to millions of people.  This year, the theme for Global Entrepreneurship Week in the UK is Make it Happen, giving people the perfect opportunity to take action on their entrepreneurial ideas.  We hope you find ways to #GEWmakeit!”

Vanessa Janes-Evans, the council’s business and enterprise manager added: “Our aim is to nurture our young people to help them achieve their goals and encourage their ambitions. This event will spur them to think about hobbies and interests and to consider how they can generate an income from a venture by putting ideas into action and making it happen.”