<p>Learners from our Business Career Excellence Hub are spreading Christmas cheer, through the Business Enterprise Challenge.</p>

<p>Learners studying Business related courses at Weston College have been split into groups, and tasked with raising money for Weston Hospicecare. Each group have been given a Business Mentor, as well as a £50 donation for a start-up budget. The challenge is to turn their £50 into the most profit, with all proceeds going to the charity.</p>

<p>Each group of learners have created their business plan, which includes sourcing products, developing their pricing strategy, coming up with a marketing plan and then selling their product or service.</p>

<p>The groups have also been given a Business Mentor, with lots of key business people from across the town offering their support to this great initiative (full list below).</p>

<p>The challenge which was launched in October is well underway, and last week (W/C: 5th December) learners took to the Sovereign Centre in Weston-super-Mare, to sell their products. With a presence each day, learners showcased their merchandising skills as well as their products – selling Christmas gifts and raising lots of money in the process.</p>

<p>Dean of Faculty for Professional Studies Access to HE &amp; Animal Science at Weston College, Helen George, said: “I have been really impressed with work that the students have been producing as part of the Business Enterprise Challenge.</p>

<p>“Over the course of the challenge so far, we have seen learners grow in confidence, increase their understanding of running a business and build some vital skills that will support them throughout their future careers.</p>

<p>“Most importantly learners are raising a lot of money for Weston Hospicecare, which has been the driving force behind the success we have seen to date.</p>

<p>“I wanted to say a big thank you to our Business Mentors as well, they have provided such valuable advice, guidance and feedback to the learners, and we really appreciate the support that they have given us.”</p>

<p>Each group of learners will present their experiences to a judging panel, as well as sharing how much they raised at the end of January, to try to win one of four awards:</p>

<ul>
<li>Fundraisers Achievement Award (for the team which raises the most profit)</li>
<li>Most Sustainable Business Award (for the most sustainable business or product idea)</li>
<li>Visual Merchandising Award (best trade stand)</li>
<li>Entrepreneur of the Year Award (awarded to a team which demonstrated outstanding entrepreneurialism)</li>
</ul>

<p>With the winners being announced at Weston College’s Celebration of Success event, in February 2023.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin… you would like to find out more about studying a business courses at Weston College, click here.</a></p>

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<p>Business is one of the most popular degrees in UK universities, as well as one of the most popular choices for 16-18s. Though there will be many contributing reasons as to why, a major factor is learners wanting to develop a deeper understanding of the continuously changing business environment, and how it reacts to what goes on in the world. Completing the qualification will give an opportunity to the learner to become a part of it and progress through the business world.</p>

<p>So, here’s 5 reasons why a business qualification could be the best decision you make for your career!</p>

<p>1. Business is made up of a huge number of different sectors. By completing a qualification before launching into the workplace, you’ll get the opportunity to discover which aspect of Business you have the most passion for, and which is best suited to your natural skillset in order to succeed.</p>

<p>2. Once you’ve decided which sector of Business is best suited to you, you’ll discover there’s Business related jobs in almost every job sector imaginable, for example sport, fashion, education, hospitality and entertainment, so you will have the chance to choose which wider sector you wish to work in. You could even take these opportunities abroad if working overseas is of interest to you.</p>

<p>3. While learning and working, you’ll create and develop a huge number of new skills. These will be highly transferrable to new adventures in your work life, for example a great combination of essay writing skills, but also mathematics skills for the finance and accounting aspect of Business. Some skills you develop will also prove useful in your personal life too. High quality communication skills, for example, will be as beneficial in your personal life as much as in the workplace.</p>

<p>4. Business offers the ability to progress in the workplace, with performance reviews and promotion opportunities. Having the ability to progress will help with your career satisfaction, the chance to take on new challenges, and an increase in your engagement day to day. Therefore, having a qualification before entering the workplace will heighten the chances of progression, by providing you with knowledge to secure promotions.</p>

<p>5. You can make Business qualifications adaptable to you! With the ability to start studying Business at any age over 16, it’s not too late sign up to one of our many Business courses; Apprenticeships, T Levels, A Levels, BTEC, and degree/degree apprenticeship</p>

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<p>If you’re interested in a qualification in Business to lead you to a career, click:</p>

<p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin…;- Here for more information about studying Business at Weston</a></p>

<p>- <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level… for A Level</a>/<a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin…;

<p>-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin… for T Level</a></p>

<p>-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/business-and-m… for Apprenticeships</a></p>

<p>- <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/subject/business-and-professional-studies/">Here for Degrees in Business at UCW</a></p>