Next Generation campaign launches in Birmingham

The Next Generation Start Something campaign, is being delivered by small business support group Enterprise Nation and is supported by young entrepreneur charity Enterprise Trust and leading challenger bank TSB.

The campaign aims to train younger people aged 16 to 30-years-old across Birmingham with the skills required to take an initial idea through to a small business, including modules on marketing, business planning and finance amongst others.

Figures announced in January placed Birmingham at the beating heart of the UK’s start-up culture, with 18,590 companies formed in the city in 2018, the highest figure of any city outside of London.

The training is being delivered through practical free workshops and mentoring. Starting on March 12, the workshops in Birmingham will be hosted at Bruntwood Building, Hill Street. Sessions focus on various topics involved in how to start a business. TSB’s area director and business banking experts will be attending the session on business planning to provide support to young people as they take their idea to a start-up.

Emma Jones, founder of Enterprise Nation, said: “As a nation, we are becoming more entrepreneurial. Young people today are around 20 per cent more likely to start a business than their parents and are much less likely to stay in a job for long.

“Because of a lack of personal funds at this stage in their life, they are also understandably more likely to make their first business a side hustle, funding the basics through a salary until it grows to stage that means they can work on it full time.

“But while the world of work has changed dramatically in a generation, the kind of support and education available to help this new breed of entrepreneur pick up the tools they need has not.

“This campaign seeks to correct this disjunction and deliver the specific support young entrepreneurs need to thrive.”

Gareth Lewis, area director of TSB West Midlands, said: “Birmingham is a vibrant city, and the home to the youngest population of any city in Europe – so it’s brimming with potential. I’m delighted myself and other TSB partners will be playing a role in inspiring and supporting young people to set up and run their own business.

“As a bank rooted in Birmingham we know that young people have brilliant ideas and the practical skills these courses provide them will be crucial in creating the next generation of Entrepreneurs. I can’t wait to see the journey these young people embark upon.”

Helen Booth, cheif executive at The Enterprise Trust, which was set up by emergency repair firm entrepreneur Richard Harpin, said: “It’s because of young people and their attitudes to work, that we are becoming more entrepreneurial as a nation. That’s great news. But we’ve got to make sure we don’t squander this talent, and must quickly develop the support network they need to get to the next level. That includes fostering confidence and resilience as well as technical business skills.”