YESU

Young Entreprenurs Stepping Up

There are many young people who have a spark for business or a passion for enterprise that would benefit from appropriate support and guidance.

Step Up Enterprise has therefore created ‘Young Entrepreneurs Stepping Up’ (YESU) – a progressive network programme, which not only helps young people to develop personally and entrepreneurially, but also gives them unique peer networking opportunities.

YESU is a network for young people and driven by young people. The network provides a safe environment for young people to exchange ideas, make contacts, obtain resources and receive appropriate support to develop their ideas in to possible viable businesses. What they do with this network depends on the individuals driving it.

Any school or setting can run a YESU network, as long as the young people are aged 11-19 and an adult is linked to each established network.

YESU Membership and Progression

Bronze – Young Entrepreneur
Young people automatically join YESU at this level and will receive support and guidance in setting up their local network. They will develop an increased understanding of business, improved self-confidence and raised aspirations. As a bronze member, young people will receive;
- A membership card
- A personal development journal
- Resources
- Workshops or events
- Business mentors

Silver – Enterprise Ambassador
YESU members at this level will have progressed to either starting up in business and/or will peer mentor new YESU members. They will take more leadership and responsibility in managing and running district wide YESU networking events. They will have increased entrepreneurial skills and built effective partnerships and networks.

Gold – Enterprise Guru
YESU members that have progressed to this level will become strong role models and an inspiration to peers, such as speaking at events and providing business guidance to others. We are currently researching a programme of study to enable gold members to gain a recognised qualification for their enterprise learning.

Platinum – Young Entrepreneur Award
We believe it is important that young people are recognised for their contributions and their achievements are celebrated. At this level young people can nominate themselves for the annual Step Up Young Entrepreneur Award. YESU also links in to The Young Citizenship Award.

Budding entrepreneurs reap networking benefits

Young people across Bradford are setting up networking groups to support their quest to get ahead in business.

The Young Entrepreneurs Stepping Up (YESU) networks provide a safe environment for 11 to 19-year-olds to exchange ideas, make contacts, obtain resources and receive support to develop their ideas into viable businesses.

YESU is part of Bradford Council’s Step Up Enterprise scheme, funded by Bradford Kickstart, which helps young people build the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed for enterprising futures.

Coun Ralph Berry, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Children’s Services and Education, said: “These networking opportunities are a great way for young people to share their experience and expertise and turn their business ideas into a reality.

“By being encouraged to take the lead and help one another, the networks help members build a set of core enterprise skills that will prove useful now and well into the future.”

Students involved in YESU work with business mentors to develop their ideas and attend workshops and events as well as taking part in their network meetings.

Members progress through different levels of achievement, starting at bronze and ending with platinum, as participants show increasing levels of leadership and contribution.

Among four schools taking part so far is Buttershaw Business and Enterprise College, which has 10 pupils who have reached bronze standard.

Students there have been working on a range of ideas including a non-alcoholic cocktail bar, a school radio station, selling sock monkeys - stuffed toys made from socks - and jewellery business.

Sue Stewart, Events and Enterprise manager at Buttershaw Business and Enterprise College, said: “The students are really enjoying the YESU scheme and are gaining a valuable insight into the realities of building a successful business.

“In setting up their network they are able to share ideas and learn from one another which has benefits for their business and their overall development.”