JULIE Gets Set For Stoke-On-Trent Work Experience

19th March 2014

A North Highland College UHI student has embarked on a once in a lifetime work placement with Youth Enterprise CIC, a not-for-profit organisation founded in Stoke-on-Trent, which aims to raise the aspirations of young people across the UK.
Julie Withers (21) from Thurso is studying on the Certificate in Business and Accounting Principles course, working towards her Higher Business qualification. Students undertaking the course are required to carry out a work experience placement and Julie has gone the extra mile to arrange the ambitious placement.

Back in November, the college invited the Youth Enterprise team to the Thurso campus to challenge students’ entrepreneurial skills. Julie was one of many students to take part in an ‘apprentice’ style task, whereby groups had to come up with a new shampoo and superserum.

Having been nominated as Project Manager for the group and producing an exciting pitch, Julie made an impression on the judges (ex-apprentice star Alex Epstein, Ben and Michael Dyer - Founder Directors of Youth Enterprise CIC and the National Enterprise Challenge.) Following the workshop, Julie used her initiative and contacted Michael via social networking site Facebook to arrange work experience with the firm.

Julie started her work experience on the 17th March for a seven day duration and will be going in to English schools to work with pupils on ‘the Gandhi Project’. She explained “I’m nervous about going there, but really looking forward to the experience as it’s a one off opportunity. It will be a great opportunity to enhance my knowledge and understanding of enterprise and how they deliver enterprise days in schools.”

Founding Director, Ben Dyer comments “We are delighted that Julie is coming to join our team on work experience. Having witnessed her work ethic during the challenge we set at the college she will be a welcome addition to the team.”
Jane MacIntosh, HNC/D Programme Leader for Business, Admin, IT and Accounting says “We are all very proud of Julie’s efforts to secure such a valuable work placement and look forward to seeing what she gains from the experience on her return to college.”