Who wants to be a young entrepreneur?

With economic growth at it lowest level for many years, recent cuts to public spending and staggering university fees, what opportunities are there for our young people who don’t want to sign on or start off their careers with £50,000 of debt hanging over them?

So you’re 16, you have just finished your GCSEs and you are looking at your future, what is available? Well traditionally there have always been two main pathways; further education or the big wide world of work.

Unfortunately the big wide world of work is somewhat smaller at the moment making it harder for young people to get jobs with one in five 16-24 year olds out of work (that’s the worst youth employment rate since records began). The academic route of school, college and university has become less appealing due to the sharp increase in tuition fees, which could see graduates with student debts in the region of £50,000.

In the absence of employment opportunities and the want to go through the academic route, could enterprise fill the gap? Peter Jones (from Dragons Den!) believes just that and has set up an enterprise academy to prove it. There are 16 of these academies placed around the UK, all aiming to give young learners the skills and knowledge to set up in business. Cornwall College has become one of these academies offering the Cornish youth (16-24) the opportunity to become entrepreneurs.

At Sea, we believe a course that teaches practical business skills and entrepreneurial thinking has key benefits to young people and the future economy. It provides a range of opportunities that don’t exist in other educational pathways.

We are working with Cornwall College (the newest institutaion to become an enterprise academy) to find those young people who have great business ideas and an enterprising spark. Perhaps they are already making a bit of money on the side? perhaps they have a great idea or a great hobby, but don't know if it will make them any money? or perhaps they have finished education and struggling to find a career?

Cornwall College are funding 15 places on its new enterprise academy courses that start in January 2012. We plan to launch a challenge to find the next generation of great entrepreneurs and business minds, those who want to stand on their own two feet and mean business.

So are there young individuals in Cornwall who have dreams of setting up their own business, be their own boss, and want to become the next Cornish success? We believe so and we plan to find them…

Watch this space