Weston College Sixth Form Student further success with National Journey Award

A Weston College Sixth Form student has finished runner-up in a national Young Enterprise award. Having already won the Regional Journey Award, and being one of just 3 people selected to go forward nationally.

Ilja Voroncovs was shortlisted in the ‘Journey’ category following his work on the Young Enterprise Company Programme.

The ceremony was held at London’s County Hall on July 6.

Ilja, who studies A Levels in Psychology and Sociology, and an Extended Certificate in Applied Science, won through to the national final after winning district and regional stages.

Ilja was accompanied to London by, his tutor, Elinor John, Lecturer in Photography and Employability Co-ordinator for the Sixth Form.

“We’re incredibly proud of Ilja and his achievements” said Elinor. “He’s grown tremendously and is deserving of the recognition.

“I nominated Ilja due to his increased confidence over the programme. Ilja was extremely shy at the beginning of the course, but flourished as a result of the opportunity with the Young Enterprise.

“The most rewarding aspect was that not only did his team, business advisors and I see the growth in Ilja, but he recognised it in himself.”

The Young Enterprise Company Programme is billed as “the ultimate teenage enterprise challenge”. Over the course of a year groups of students create and run real profit-generating businesses under the guidance of an expert business volunteer.

Journey Award nominators had to show how the programme helped the student develop the confidence to talk to strangers, deliver an empowering speech, overcome an obstacle or discover a new ability.

Ilja was among just a handful of students to reach the national final, out of the 16,500 who took part in this year’s Company Programme.

After finishing runner-up, Ilja said "I already felt like a winner".