STUDENTS studying the Advanced Diploma in Business, Administration and Finance at Warrington got a real taste of the reality of working at the sharp end of business when they were challenged to pitch a feasible proposal to leaders of industry from the town.
A nine strong group from Priestley College – all dressed to impress as they were chauffer driven to the North West Development Agency’s headquarters – faced a panel of business chiefs.
They included Steven Broomhead, NWDA chief executive, Sandra Busby, chief executive of Cheshire and Warrington Business Venture and Dave Hutchinson, director of Commercial Development at Warrington Wolves.
The Priestley team were understandably nervous but pitched their business proposals to the “Dragons” and secured not only a cash investment from them but also an order for products.
The students pitched their Personalised Printz business which they had setup as part of their course work and the Young Enterprise scheme which has seen them produce a range of unique gifts including t-shirts and mugs.
The panel offered the students a £250 cash injection for their continuing work, which will be used to develop a better website, while Warrington Wolves placed an order for the group to deck out programme sellers at the Halliwell-Jones stadium with high visibility printed jackets.
Jessica Wilkinson from Personalised Printz, said: “The presentation went really well and we were all confident in what we said and how it was received by the panel.
“It really did give us all an idea of what is expected in the business world and in the end we were delighted to gain an investment from what was an enjoyable day.”
Pictured: the business hungry students at the North West Development Agency.
