Framlingham Students Celebrate Graduation from Young Entrepreneur Programme
Students from Framlingham College are celebrating after graduating from the Young Entrepreneur Smart Start (YESS) Programme, an initiative designed to help young people develop the confidence and life skills they need for the future.
Seven students completed the programme on 5th March, taking part in sessions focused on practical skills such as communication, decision-making, goal setting and resilience. The programme was facilitated by local business coach Chris Duke.
For Chris, it’s been inspiring to work with local students over the duration of the course. “It’s been inspiring to watch these young people discover what they’re capable of. Over the course of the programme, they’ve developed confidence, entrepreneurial thinking and real-world business skills.”
The YESS Programme is delivered by the YESS Foundation, a UK charity working to ensure young people have access to the personal development and entrepreneurial skills that support them in education, employment and life. Since launching, more than 280 young people from across the UK have completed the programme.
“Initiatives like this are really important for young people in our local area,” added Chris. “When students start to believe in their abilities and see the opportunities around them, it can have a lasting impact not just on them, but for the whole community. My ambition now is to see this opportunity reach many more students across Norfolk and Suffolk.”
Denise Pitot, CEO of the YESS Foundation said, “We believe every young person deserves the opportunity to build confidence in their own potential. Seeing students here in Framlingham graduate from the programme shows what’s possible when schools, families and local businesses come together to support young people!”
The initiative is supported by mentors and volunteers from ActionCOACH, a global business coaching organisation whose coaches work with entrepreneurs and business owners to improve performance and leadership.
Many coaches, such as Chris, volunteer their time to mentor young people through initiatives such as YESS. “The charity relies on the support of schools, volunteers and local businesses to keep places free for students,” added Denise. “With that support, we hope to reach more than 1,250 young people across the UK over the next year and give them the confidence and skills to shape their own futures.”
For more information about the YESS programme, please visit https://www.yessfoundation.org.uk/