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Based in Amersham, the National Enterprise Academy welcome the 28 pathfinder students to the innaugural terms of the new course. Students will be tutored and mentored by some of Britains most successful entrepreneurs.

Through commitments of public and private support Peter Jones can now take forward his long-held aspiration of creating a ‘engine room’ for outstanding enterprise learning in the UK, and in doing so contribute to making the UK one of the most enterprising economies in the world.

Peter Jones said:
“I’m delighted with this commitment from Government to enterprise learning. The funding contribution announced today will help us turn our plans for a £32 million learning programme into reality. Through powerful public and private sector partnership, we can successfully unlock the talent of Britain’s young people and realise the potential of the UK to lead the world in entrepreneurship.

“The new National Enterprise Academy will focus on developing enterprise and innovation skills to equip the next generation of young people with the ability and confidence they will need to succeed in the modern business world, whether as enterprising employees or starting their own businesses.”

The National Enterprise Academy will be a catalyst for cultural change in the UK, encouraging and stimulating entrepreneurial attitudes and behaviour among the next generation of young people. This unique initiative will draw on people experienced in business to mentor and develop enterprising young people.
Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, John Denham said:
“I am extremely excited about this project – it will give many young people the opportunity to receive innovative and inspiring teaching and become the entrepreneurs of the future. In the current economic climate, it is world-class enterprise education, such as that which will be delivered by the National Skills Academy for Enterprise, which will ensure the future success of our economy.”

Joining Learning and Skills Council network of Skills Academies, the National Enterprise Academy – a uniquely cross-sector Skills Academy – will open its doors to aspiring entrepreneurs in September 2009.   The National Enterprise Academy will offer 16-19 year olds the UK’s first accredited Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications in enterprise and entrepreneurship.  In the first three years alone, the National Enterprise Academy will provide support to thousands of young people across the 14-19 and 19+ age ranges, helping to equip them with the skills to become the UK’s next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs.

The National Enterprise Academy will initially comprise two leading-edge enterprise centres. The first, located in Buckinghamshire, will become the national headquarters and act as a regional hub for the South East. This will be followed by a second centre located in Manchester, which will act as regional hub for the North West. A national roll-out of satellite academies will then follow over the next four years, spreading excellence and best practice in enterprise education across the UK.

Peter Jones said:
“In the current economic climate, it is essential that the UK workforce is equipped with the skills to drive economic growth. There are still great opportunities to start and grow a business, but if the economy is to continue to grow, we need to instill an ‘I can’ attitude into the next generation at an early age.

“I have achieved success in business and I am passionate about young people realising their true potential.  We, in the UK, need to equip our young people with the confidence and skills to develop new ideas and see them through to commercial success. The National Enterprise Academy will kick-start this process.

“An overwhelming response to the National Enterprise Academy shows that young people and businesses alike are incredibly excited by the potential of this project. We have already received hundreds of enquiries from aspiring young entrepreneurs, SMEs, and the UK’s largest employers eager to get involved.”

Oona Muirhead CBE, Executive Director for Skills & Sustainable Prosperity at the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), said:
“The strong culture of enterprise in the South East is a critical element of the region’s competitive edge. That’s why we are 100% behind the creation of the National Enterprise Academy, are delighted with the Buckinghamshire location for the headquarters, and will continue to work in close partnership with the Peter Jones Foundation to make this a success.”

The next phase of the project will see the launch of the pilot programme in January 2009 aptly named the NEA Pathfinder. Located in Buckinghamshire, the NEA Pathfinder will run for a period of six months. It will provide up to 35 young people with a unique and exciting opportunity to achieve nationally recognised qualifications in enterprise, while working closely with Peter Jones and his team to shape and develop new and innovative enterprise qualifications and the ways in which they are delivered.

Young people taking part in the intensive six-month pathfinder will develop personal and business skills, be taught by entrepreneurs and experienced trainers, attend master classes, take part in challenges, undertake problem-solving work experience and address real business issues.

Young people interested in taking part in the NEA Pathfinder should visit www.peterjonesfoundation.org, where they can find out more information about the pilot and apply online from 7 October 2008.

The school was a hive of activity throughout the venture, with car washing and beauty salons on offer as well as an array of cakes biscuits and smoothies for sale. The children not only had fun, they also learnt about advertising and market research as well as the importance of team work and perseverance.

Maureen Smith, Deputy Head Teacher said,

“We used Peter’s letter and some videos from the website to kick start the project. Everyone had a wonderful time and all are exhausted but truly proud of their achievements”

Profits totalling £1,212.17 were donated to the Forgotten Children charity, with the original £500 being reinvested in a school stationary shop run by the children and an allotment project.

The shoot was followed by lunch and a silent auction for items that included a cricket bat signed by the current England test team, a signed Dragon’s Den photo and lunch with the FT’s Mrs Moneypenny.

During lunch Jeffrey Archer held the main auction. Guests dug deep to bid for lots including a holiday in a Marbella Villa, 7 nights in a luxury Descent International Summer Chalet and a white knuckle rally day.

The day raised more than £30,000 for Forgotten Children and The National Enterprise Academy.

Former British Davis Cup and Wimbledon player, John Feaver, has joined the Peter Jones National Enterprise Academy. John will be directly responsible for identifying corporate partners for the Academy.

On joining the team, John said:

“I’m absolutely delighted to be joining the Peter Jones National Academy for Enterprise. I believe passionately in the values behind the project and am confident that we can create an academy that engages and inspires the future leaders of business.”

John Feaver played professional tennis for 16 years and has subsequently worked in corporate fundraising and communications.

He has been a Director on several national and international governing bodies. These have included Director of Yamaha Sports UK, Director of LTA and SMP and Acting Chief Executive at The Lord’s Taverners. He has also been involved in several other private enterprises throughout the years.

 John has been Head of Player Relations at Wimbledon for over 20 years.

Commenting on Blue Rubicon’s appointment, Peter Jones said:

“We had a rigorous process of selection, which involved a paper review of six agencies and
a pitch of three.

“While the quality of agency we saw was extremely high, Blue Rubicon was
still head and shoulders above the rest.

“Despite some tough questions from the team, they exceeded all my expectations with their expertise, flair and deep knowledge of the education and skills sector”.

Julia Muir, Senior Consultant at Blue Rubicon, said:

“We’re delighted to be working with Peter on such an important campaign and really excited about the challenge of establishing the Academy at the heart of a new approach to enterprise learning and entrepreneurialism in the UK”.

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Peter Jones and Business Minister Shriti Vadera made a joint visit to Slough and Eton Business and Enterprise College, which specialises in providing enterprise education.

The visit highlighted the vital role that an enterprising culture, including in schools, will have if the UK is to become the best place in the world to start and grow a business.

For Peter, the visit was a chance to quiz students about their entrepreneurial ambitions, and to get feedback on plans for the National Enterprise Academy.  In a Q&A session with staff and students, Peter praised the school’s focus on enterprise and the encouragement and support offered to help students reach their potential.

While recounting the ups and downs of his own entrepreneurial journey, Peter’s advice was: “Be determined and never give up, even when the chips are down, take stock, look for positives and learning opportunities and be persistent in the quest for success.”