Entrepreneur, investor, and BBC The Apprentice interviewee Linda Plant has challenged business students at Stratford-upon-Avon College and Solihull College & University Centre as part of a new educational programme. The initiative, titled "Can You Convince Linda Plant?", was conceived and developed by entrepreneur and Programme Director Fi Yates, aiming to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world commercial experience.
Drawing on her extensive international business experience, Fi Yates has designed a practical programme focused on building entrepreneurial confidence, commercial skills, and real-world business understanding. As Programme Director, she will lead the pilot delivery in collaboration with Linda Plant and the colleges. Eleven students have secured places on the pilot, facing a series of business challenges to hone their entrepreneurial thinking and commercial acumen. Three finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their business plans to Linda Plant and a panel of employers early next year.
Linda Plant visited students at Blossomfield Campus this week. She commented, “It’s so great to see that every one of them is motivated. I have seen students who I really believe will go into business. It’s tough out there at the moment and all eleven of them have got a really good idea which they can take forward.”
“"This programme is about bringing the real world of business into education and giving students the confidence, skills and opportunities to think entrepreneurially. I wanted to create something practical, engaging and commercially relevant, where students can experience the challenges of turning an idea into a viable business. Working alongside Linda and the colleges, our ambition is to build on this pilot and create opportunities for many more young people to develop their entrepreneurial potential."
Student Archie Berry from Stratford-upon-Avon College expressed his excitement, stating, “It’s going to be great fun. Owning my own business and being my own boss is something I can see myself doing in the future. This competition gives people like me, the next generation, the opportunity to start our own businesses – and getting started early is a great idea.”
Gurpreet Kaur, a student at Blossomfield Campus, who has experienced sleepless nights devising her business plan, believes Linda Plant's guidance will be invaluable. She added, “I want to be an entrepreneur and make my family proud. I really think Linda being on hand will give me the skills I need to build my business. You can’t limit yourself when it comes to opportunities like this!”
