FOUR Young Enterprise groups from BCoT recently took part in a Dragon’s Den-style competition judged by industry professionals.

The panel of judges, from a range of business areas, listened to the four pitches then decided on the best presentation and business idea.

The panel consisted of Nick Gibbs, relationship manager at RBS, Katie Taylor, regional sales manager at De Vere Venues, and Liz Jackson, managing director at Great Guns Marketing.

Business courses at BCoT involve a lot of enterprise and give students real-world experience by allowing them to start up their own small businesses.

The judges not only decided on winners of the competition, but also gave constructive feedback to improve the students’ business skills.

The groups were given advice on marketing, branding, competitor analysis and expansion. The judges also suggested ways for students to improve their future presentations.

The winners of the award for best presentation were TSPN, a company that creates jewellery from recycled materials.

The panel heard that the group’s members take unwanted materials from their own homes, and have commissioned one of their mothers to make the jewellery.

An example given of the jewellery was earrings made out of bottle tops.

One member of this group, Nathan Lang, was delighted to get the opportunity to receive advice from industry experts.

He said: “I’m really enjoying taking part in Young Enterprise and experiencing the realities of working in the world of business.

“It has also been very beneficial receiving feedback from people who are successful in industry.”

Mr Gibbs said: “As a company, we are involved in a lot of entrepreneurial work so when the college got in contact we were more than happy to engage with the students at BCoT.

“We really want to help these young people develop their business acumen by sharing our skills and giving them an opportunity to work with real business advisors.”

Later this month, the Young Enterprise students will have a chance to play the part of the judges, at a special business event at Fort Hill Community School, in Kenilworth Road, Winklebury.