A ENTERPRISING student is competing against the best in the country in a competition.

Rajashwi Bhandari, from Basingstoke, has won the regional Young Enterprise (YE) Journey Award which is presented to the student participating in Young Enterprise’s flagship Company Programme, who has made the most transformational journey this academic year.

This year 20,000 young people, including Rajashwi, set up and ran a real business with the Company Programme initiative.

The Costello School Year 10 pupil was announced the winner of the award at the Young Enterprise South East Regional Final on June 13 at Guildford Cathedral. Rajashwi has also been nominated as one of the top three journey award finalists and will be attending the Young Enterprise National Final in London on July 6.

The student believes the programme has taught her how to problem solve, delegate and adapt when dealing with the different characters and personalities of her colleagues.

Lis Hall, teacher at Costello said, “Over the YE journey Rajashwi has recognised the importance of delegation and giving others responsibility for managing and completing tasks without her active involvement. This has been an important skill for Rajashwi to learn and has helped her grow both as a person and entrepreneur.”.

Victoria Leese, Young Enterprise Area Manager for Hampshire added: “I am delighted that Rajashwi has won the Regional Journey Award and has been nominated for the national final. It is fantastic to see how the Company Programme enhances the employability and life skills young people need to succeed in life”.