TOO often, business leaders in Bolton and Bury have condemned the distinct lack of corporate awareness displayed by school leavers and college students, writes David Thompson.

And given the fact that generations of children were never given an insight into the world of business, the criticism was justified.

Thankfully, however, all that is changing as more and more senior school pupils and students benefit from their first taste of business tuition.

It comes courtesy of the thriving Young Enterprise scheme which has been helping to shape a new generation of local entrepreneurs.

The initiative, which has been growing in popularity throughout schools and colleges, allows teenagers to learn vital business skills.

These include communication, team work, decision making and many other skills which are required by today's employers.

And the scheme also allows many local professional businessmen and women the opportunity to pass on their experience and expertise to the youngsters.

They act as business advisers and, as such, attend monthly meetings to guide and advise the young people throughout their six-month Young Enterprise stint.

The youngsters themselves establish mini-companies, sell shares and elect a board before embarking on a programme of manufacturing and marketing a range of goods.

Having attended the Young Enterprise finals in Bury for the past few years, I've been very encouraged to note just how enthusiastic the youngsters are.

They genuinely embrace the positive benefits of the scheme and trumpet the all-round team work and co-operation which are the hallmarks of the initiative.

And that must spell good news for prospective employers when it comes to interviewing candidates who can already display certain business skills and boundless energy for the world of work. Hopefully, their eagerness and willingness to learn will be greatly enhanced by in-house training and other programmes to fully utilise their legitimate desire to make it to the top.

Young Enterprise is currently looking to recruit further business advisers throughout the Bury and Bolton area.

"Working as an adviser provides a unique and challenging career development opportunity, the chance to work with young people buzzing with ideas, the chance to meet other advisers from local companies and to make new contacts," says Young Enterprise development manager Charlotte Chadwick.

So, instead of bemoaning the shortcomings of teenagers entering companies from schools and colleges, why not enrol as an adviser and help build teams of budding entrepreneurs?