THE UK’S FIRST JOB NEUTRAL ACADEMY IS COMING TO KENT

A new Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship Academy launches in Canterbury, in September 2019, which will give sixth form students the opportunity to own their own business at the end of their studies.

Serial Entrepreneur Louis Hurst, and his Amelix Group of companies have joined forces with the Canterbury Academy Trust to launch ‘The Amelix Entrepreneurship Academy’ which will mentor and guide young people in setting up their own companies, with seed funding from revenues they will generate running real businesses.

The 2-year course will see up to 25 students per year launch their own businesses, whilst gaining a BTEC in Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship and equip them with the commercial understanding employers crave as well as giving real experience of running genuine commercial businesses.

Russell Sauntry, CEO of Amelix Education Resources said ‘As our economy changes it is becoming more important for people to be able to generate their own income. Unfortunately, our education system is strong on academic theory but weak on developing the application skills young people need, especially with regard to business. Working with the Canterbury Academy Trust, we have identified this issue and have teamed up to provide a unique opportunity for young people to develop businesses in a supportive, educational environment’

A recent European study showed that 33% of young people who received good Entrepreneurship Education went on to operate a business that employed 3 or more people, it also showed that those who received the same training developed better intrapreneurial skills enabling them to develop strong career pathways by giving local employers comprehensive key skills, astute commercial skills and, as a result of this enhanced work-life experience, better retention.

In the first year of the two-year programme, students will work as key stakeholders in businesses, set up by Amelix Education which will include an outsourced contact centre, a HatHats Coffee franchise and a business procurement service with profits generated used to seed fund their own businesses in year two. They will then have the opportunity for the support to continue for their business, ongoing, until they are ready to work independently.  The academy will remain available as premises, with the business support and mentoring available onsite with many local entrepreneurs and business leaders already signing up to support the entrepreneurs of the future.

Jon Watson Executive Principal of the Canterbury Academy Trust said ‘We are always looking at innovating and providing the best outcomes for every young person, we are really excited about the approach, skills and experience the Amelix Entrepreneurship Academy will bring to our sixth form’

Students will not be applying, in the usual way, but will be pitching for their place. The course isn’t for everyone, it’s for those young people who have a ‘spark’ who want to lead, who want to generate wealth.

For more information on how to apply for a place visit AmelixAcademy.com a partner and stakeholder launch event will take place on 22nd May, for more information please email launch@amelixacademy.com for more information.