Enterprise and Innovation

We believe that young people can change the world and be positive role models. A Young Pioneer is an innovator who takes the first step to get things going, a young person who takes action and makes a difference to the lives of others.

In simple terms innovation for public good. All of our young pioneers are social innovators, change agents for the future helping to enable other young people to care about the world they live in.

Our work with young people develops their skills to be entrepreneurs and social innovators. They develop self awareness, self belief and self confidence. Confidence not just to work with others, but to challenge the way that things are done. Through curiosity and enquiry they are learning to be resourceful and resilient and able to meet the needs of others in both a business and social context. They are making things happen and making a difference.

Young Pioneers has developed an enterprise and innovation programme that will enable young people to become more engaged in education and develop their future skills for work in a creative economy, a rural economy and an emerging third sector.

Enrichment
Our Social Leader programme is designed to help young people develop the necessary skills to be effective leaders and innovators. Young people participating in the course learn leadership skills though outward bound challenges and problem solving. They learn about social enterprise and how to measure social impact. A key aspect of this course is effective communication and young people are trained how to present and communicate using theme and attitude training.

Engagement through enterprise and innovation
This programme is designed to enable young people to develop the necessary skills to run their own commercial or social enterprise. It’s not just about business skills, it encourages creative thinking and idea generation. Risk-taking is fundamental to innovation and young people explore this by developing and running their own “live” enterprise. This learning by doing approach is vital to build their confidence and ability to be successful.

The programme is accessible to all young people. It is has also been designed to meet the specific needs of NEETS (Young people not in education, employment or training) and disengaged school pupils. We place a particular emphasis on social skills; all our young people eat together in a formal dining room at lunch time and are encouraged to discuss and engage in meaningful conversation with their mentors.

The programme also includes business breakfast meetings and is supported by our young pioneer role models who tell their stories to demonstrate that young people can innovate and can make a difference.

If you are a business or social entrepreneur who would like to support this programme and/or present as a guest speaker please contact sheena@youngpioneers.org If you are a young person or represent young people who would benefit from this programme please contact sheena@youngpioneers.org