National Enterprise Competition Increases Employability of Graduates

February 06, 2007 - Press Dispensary - Yomping the Nations 2007 (YTN 07 - http://www.ytn07.com), a fun and fast-paced national competition for students - similar to BBC’s Dragon’s Den and the Apprentice but not quite so scary - launched at Queen Mary University, London, on Monday 5 February. YTN 07 encourages the employability skills, commercial awareness and entrepreneurial flair that graduate recruiters are seeking.

Cambridge-based business strategy consultants, The Working Knowledge Group (http://www.twkg.met), devised YTN based around a business training tool developed in partnership with Cambridge University. YTN demonstrates the vital steps required to transform a business idea into a focused and profitable enterprise.

During each YTN event, students are submerged in an environment that simulates the world of work. Alongside a group of ten national and local business experts experienced in finance, HR, operations, strategy and marketing, students adopt management roles in a series of short workshops designed to develop competencies such as decision making, strategic planning, commercial awareness and communication skills to equip them to thrive in any business situation. Each team of students taking part has to develop, plan and present a business strategy for a business scenario given to them on the day.

Part of the day is spent using the ‘Yomp’ strategy tool to develop a comprehensive plan to grow each business, followed by business expert meetings and, finally, pitching the strategy to a panel of judges. The students and external business experts are fully engaged in the process and many mutually beneficial relationships between businesses and universities were forged during YTN 06.

Spokesman James Lott, serial entrepreneur and director of the Working Knowledge Group, says: "In a survey published in late January, 43% of employers polled by the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) said they had unfilled graduate vacancies, against less than a third in 2005. According to the AGR, the underlying reason is that 'employers feel there is an inadequate supply of applicants of sufficient calibre'."

He adds: "For students to develop the skills required by today’s dynamic workplace before graduation, it is vital for business to be involved in their education. The Working Knowledge Group recognise this. Our partnership with UK universities through YTN provides the conditions to encourage an entrepreneurial mindset amongst graduates to the benefit of the economy."

Paul Blackmore, director of the Centre for Employability, Enterprise and Careers at Lancaster University, says: "YTN is an excellent way to boost the commercial awareness, business language and employability skills of students from all disciplines and forms a major part of our award winning Certificate in Enterprise and Commercial Awareness.”

The Grand Final - an exhilarating two-day event on 19 and 20 March, 2007, at Manchester Metropolitan University - will see the winning team walk away with £3,500 cash.

- Ends -

YTN 07 heats will take place in:

North East - University of Sunderland
Tuesday 13th February

Wales -Glamorgan
Thursday 15th February

Midlands - University of Derby
Wednesday 21st February

East of England- University of East Anglia
Thursday 23rd February

South West- University of Bristol
Tuesday 27th February

South Central - Reading
Thursday 1st March

North West - UCLAN
Tuesday 6th March

Yorkshire- Bradford
Wednesday 7th March

South East - Sussex
Tuesday 13th March

Final - Manchester Metropolitan University
Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th March.

About YTN
Now in its second year, YTN is taking place in 11 regional heats across the UK, involving a total of 101 universities and 150 top UK businesses. The winner receives £3,500k while learning invaluable skills, expanding their networks and connecting with top graduate employers in what is probably the biggest inter-university non-sporting competition in the UK.
Business sponsors include top graduate recruiters Greggs, KPMG and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

About The Working Knowledge Group
The Working Knowledge Group is committed to promoting lasting and sustainable relationships between business and education to enable and support a prosperous economy.

Photographs:
High resolution images of participants in YTN 2006 are available.

Interviews:
James Lott, is available for interview by calling 07768 736003
James is a serial entrepreneur and inventor of the Pop Vase, now on sale worldwide.

* Source: Daily Mail, 30 January, 2007.

For further information, please contact:
Angie McDonald, Roaring Success
Tel: 07768 736003
Email:
Site: www.jimmygalvin.com