Business Students Reach Finals of The National Skills Challenge 2019

The team, made up of A Level Business students Rosie Hammond, Beth Goodwin, Francesca Reading, Amy Tinsley and Charlotte Pelter were among a number of local college students supported by Higher Horizons+ at Staffordshire University to take part in the challenge, which was organised by The Inspirational Learning Group in partnership with NatWest.

The National Skills Challenge 2019, which is running in partnership with NatWest and University Campus Football Business (UCFB), saw NSCG field two strong teams from Newcastle College and Stafford College who went head-to-head against six other colleges in a challenge set by UCFB.

Currently operating out of Wembley, Manchester City FC and Burnley FC in the UK, UCFB challenged the students to research a country in Asia where the next UCFB campus should be situated – and provide their reasons why. They also had to demonstrate their research capabilities and showcase their proposed design, branding and merchandise ideas.

The competing teams had to deliver a four minute ‘Dragons’ Den’ style presentation to a panel of judges and the winning Newcastle College team will go on to attend the national finals at the NatWest headquarters in London on 4 April 2019.

Ben Dyer, co-founder of The Inspirational Learning Group and a graduate of Staffordshire University, said: “It was great to see so many young business people at the event. The challenge set by UCFB was tough, but the standard of presentations and end result was great to see.”

The UK’s largest enterprise and employability competition, The National Skills Challenge, also saw Stafford College students Sian Gilmore, Erin Morrissey, Tom Murray, Fern Watson and Hannah Wycherley compete and pitch their stadium ideas.

Mandi Marks, Head of A Level Business at NSCG, said: “All students have worked very hard to prepare for the regional finals, giving up their own time to create posters, props and to practice their presentations. Students from both Newcastle College and Stafford College represented NSCG in a very professional and business-like manner. I am proud to say that the Newcastle College team won against some tough competition and will be representing the College at The National Skills Challenge finals in London. I am looking forward to supporting the team with more rehearsals and wish them the best for luck for the main event.”

Helen Norman, from Higher Horizons+ at Staffordshire University, said: “This was an excellent evening with Newcastle College winning for the second year running. They really impressed the judges with their ideas and professional presentation.”

Continued Helen: “We are very happy to support this event because these enterprise challenges really raise the confidence levels of individuals taking part, and enable them to learn new important skills such as research, presentation skills, and teamwork. It's great to see their development through the process."

NSCG offers a large range of Business and Business-related courses including A Levels in Business, Accounting, Politics, Law and Economics as well as a number of full-time vocational courses and part-time and university-level qualifications.

For more information about studying Business at NSCG, click here or call 01782 715111 (Newcastle Campus) or 01782 223800 (Stafford Campus).