YOUNG Enterprise, the scheme that puts school pupils and college students feet first into the world of business, looks set to break all records in Bolton this year.

Around 280 young people have signed up to take part and are already busy setting up boards to run their own companies.

The scheme has been given a major boost by the appointment of a West Pennines Development Manager.

Charlotte Caldwell, who is based at the Wigan Investment Centre, has been touring the region to give talks about the scheme.

And the result has been a big increase in take-up throughout the area.

But one of the biggest boosts has been in Bolton, which had only 150 in the scheme last year.

The scheme has been promoted in Bolton for many years and numbers have been steadily growing. The schools which have out forward the highest number of pupils to take part this year are Smithills and Westhoughton High.

Bury's scheme has also been steadily growing and more than 100 young people will take part there in the coming year.

The national Young Enterprise Scheme is sponsored by industry and commerce, with over 3,000 businesses providing free advice and support to the young entrepreneurs aged between 15 and 19 across the UK.

Young people get a practical insight into the world of work by setting up their own boards and production lines.

The young people make all their own decisions, appoint their own company heads and decide how to market their products.

Charlotte, who was involved in a Young Enterprise challenge herself when she was a student 11 years ago, explained: "Weekly board meetings are a hot bed of activity where decisions are made and skills are practically gained. Young Enterprise really does bridge the gap between real life and the classroom."

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