Pupils aiming for success in a new business partnership
4:00pm Monday 22nd June 2009 in News
in business: Back from left, Mark Davis from Sigma, Wendy Webster, design manager, Sally Haworth, enterprise manager and Ian Carter, governors chairman. Front: Jay Patel, Alexandra Gojkouits, Charlotte Dowling and Shoaib Hussain
YOUNG people at Smithills School have designs on success in the cut-throat world of advertising and marketing.
Half a dozen pupils are running their own design and print company, Printzone.
Using modern machines, costing tens of thousands of pounds, they will be creating promotional posters as well as putting professional finishing touches to coursework.
They will work in a setting copying a commercial print shop as part of the Ubizee scheme, designed by industry experts.
The students will work two hours each week to run the business in a bid to develop skills and entrepreneurial acumen — and keep it afloat.
At the end of their “placement”, students will receive certification from Ubizee and be eligible for a half GCSE in enterprise and employability.
Mark Davis, of Sigma SDI, who created the idea of Ubizee Printzones, said: “Smithills is the first school in the Bolton area with whom we have forged an exciting partnership. The students have really embraced the enterprise project and launched an excellent print centre.”
Ian Carter, Smithills chairman of governors, said: “We are delighted to team up with Sigma SDI and launch our Ubizee Printzone.
“This is a real-life working experience and adds to our on-site outstanding hair salon and professional catering facilities.”
