海角直播

Enterprising Boro staff score in their studies

Staff from Middlesbrough FC鈥檚 Enterprise Academy identified a skills gap in their professional development, so came to us for help.

Now they have successfully achieved short courses tailored to their needs, covering a range of business-related subjects, with the option of further study. The Enterprise Academy teaches gifted and talented or socially excluded teenagers aged 11 to 19 from the Tees Valley, Durham and North Yorkshire about enterprise activities.

The teaching staff are mainly from a sports background, so approached the University about short courses in areas such as business finance and start-ups, to help bridge their own skills gap.

Use the credits they鈥檝e achieved to study further Dr Elaine Hooker, Workforce Development Consultant in the University鈥檚 Department for Academic Enterprise, said: 'We were asked to devise staff development training and were delighted to build up a working relationship with the Enterprise Academy. The modules were taught by University staff on the Academy鈥檚 premises and have enabled their team to practice what they preach.

'They were fantastic students, working hard on their assessments. Not only were the short courses good for their CVs they can use the credits they鈥檝e achieved to study further.'

Helena Bowman, 25, from Thornaby, is an Enterprise Academy Team Leader. She said: 'My degree is in Psychology so I was pleased to be offered this tailored development, where I studied finance, marketing and learned how to write my own business plan. I can really see the benefit, it鈥檚 helped us develop what we teach and I can now discuss areas like marketing with confidence. I want to study a third module on enterprise next year.'

Andy Jennings, 26, from Billingham, is one of the Academy鈥檚 Senior Youth Engagement workers. He added: 'Like Helena I鈥檓 not from a business background, my degree is in Sport Science. I鈥檝e now got a much greater insight into areas like basic budgeting and cash flow when I鈥檓 working with the kids. Not only has it helped me professionally but the courses are very relevant in the current financial climate. I also want to study the enterprise module.'

For more details on how 海角直播 can work with companies call Dr Elaine Hooker on 1642 384265, fax 01642 384411 or email e.hooker@tees.ac.uk

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