The University of Nottingham is on the look out for experienced business people to help inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.
The University is working together with other partners in the city, to deliver a Nottingham City Council scheme called Inspired in Nottingham, which will give entrepreneurial students the opportunity to gain the support of experienced business people.
Each student who takes part in the Inspired in Nottingham programme will be matched with a business mentor who has the skills and expertise to help the young entrepreneur develop their business.
Inspired in Nottingham is part of the City Council’s Generation Y initiative. Generation Y aims to help entrepreneurs in the City who are aged under 35 to set up successful new businesses by providing specialist support to help them build their ventures.
The city’s two universities, The University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University are taking part in the programme, together with the two largest colleges — Central College Nottingham and New College Nottingham.
Speaking about the Inspired in Nottingham programme, Councillor Graham Chapman, Deputy Leader, Nottingham City Council, said: “We realise that the success of today’s new businesses is vitally important to ensure that our city flourishes in the future. Inspired in Nottingham recognises the need for young entrepreneurs to learn from the invaluable experience of successful business people who have been there and done it.
“We need to nurture our talented young people and give them all the help we can, particularly in the critical early years of their business ventures and I hope that business people across the city will come forward to volunteer their support for the Inspired in Nottingham programme.”
Businesses can support the Inspired in Nottingham programme in a number of ways. This may include allowing a young entrepreneur to spend time shadowing someone in their business, or by offering some time to mentor them, or providing advice and help in a particular area of business that the student is interested in.
Business people who would like to offer their assistance for the Inspired in Nottingham programme should register at www.ingenuitygateway.com/inspired-in-nottingham
-Ends-
Photo shows, under the gaze of Jesse Boot, Nottingham’s most famous entrepreneur, left to right:
Councillor Graham Chapman - Nottingham City Council
David Drury — Central College Nottingham
Steve Upcraft — The University of Nottingham
Sheridan Chilvers — New College Nottingham
Chris Hall — Nottingham Trent University