College backs-up business brains of tomorrow

North Hertfordshire College (NHC) plans to launch an enterprise academy at the NHC Hitchin centre in September to help students set up their own businesses.

The move comes has the government calls on businesses and the FE sector to encourage the spirit of entrepreneurialism across the UK. 

Peter Jones, founder of the enterprise, said he was “delighted” to have the college on board. 

“2011 marks a very important year for the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy and key to this is today’s exciting announcement the opening of a new Peter Jones accredited college in North Hertfordshire,” said Mr Jones.

NHC will be offering a BTEC level 2 Diploma in Understanding Enterprise and Entrepreneurship along with a further BTEC level 3 Diploma in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship.

Former student and local jewellery designer, Alyssa Smith, will be mentoring the students with their business ideas.

“I cannot express how excited I am to become the Entrepreneur in Residence at the new Peter Jones Academy. Having been a student myself at North Hertfordshire College, I feel I can now give something back,” said Ms Smith.

An Ofsted report in 2010 showed that the overall success rate of NHC has risen by more than 12 percentage points since 2006/07 and is now nearly five percentage points higher than the national rate.

The Government’s Start Up Britain plan is working with businesses to provide support of £1,500 in areas of IT training and internet advertising. Back in March, Prime Minister David Cameron said Britain’s economic recovery needs to be private sector led ,and that “now is the time” for the future entrepreneurs to strike out.

Mr Cameron added that, with government backing for small business firms, new jobs and wealth could turn this into “one of the most entrepreneurial decades in our history”.

Ben Spencer

The Peter Jones Enterprise Academy has a taster day on the 11 July, 10.00am-4.00pm. Contact 01462 424242 for further details