Posted on Monday 23rd December 2024
Axyl Croft
A new generation of Burton entrepreneurs have been given the chance to build their own business.
Over 40 students at Burton and South Derbyshire College (BSDC) are the latest in a long line to start Ignite, a fully interactive business course that teaches entrepreneurial and employment skills.
Delivered for the county council by Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, the fully funded programme includes online support, workshops, mentoring and support for post-16 students with ambitions to set up their own business in Staffordshire now or in the future. Guidance for students includes finding gaps in the market, business planning, financial planning and marketing.
Axyl Croft is 16 and is set on putting her skills to good use by helping other local businesses.
She said:
I grew up with a family that ran small businesses and a lot of the time they’d really struggle with the financial side, so I really wanted to make sure that I have those skills.
I love being creative and eventually want to be a business coach to help other local businesses, so having business experts come to us is fantastic.
Getting the knowledge to confidently start a business and make it successful is really inspiring.”
Craig Goldsmith, curriculum team leader of business and accounting at Burton and South Derbyshire College said:
This new cohort of learners is really exciting; they’re brimming with ideas and this course really does enrich their learning experience and enthusiasm. That’s really important because they are the future of our economy and will need all of those skills in what is a challenging and ever-changing working world.”
Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said:
Axyl is a great example of how Ignite is inspiring and raising the aspirations of our young people to have the skills to be able to go as far as their ambition takes them.
Whilst some won’t go onto starting their own business straight away, through this course, they’ll always have options and will have the skills and knowledge that employers need. It’s part of our commitment to employers and to increasing opportunities for our young people. Ignite supports their learning to think like a business owner.”
Over 25,500 students from Burton and South Derbyshire College, Leek and Buxton College, Newcastle and Stafford College Group and South Staffordshire College have benefited from the Ignite programme over the last four years.
Watch: Axyl’s business story