Students from colleges across west Wales recently rose to the challenge of creating a new business as part of the third annual West Wales Regional Enterprise Competition.
With the rural economies of west Wales being built on micro-businesses, the competition is one of the region’s key mechanisms for engaging with young entrepreneurs and giving them the support to develop business ideas with the hope that they will one day bring them to fruition.
A joint initiative between Big Ideas Wales, Business Wales, Business in Focus and the three local colleges, students from across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire were encouraged to take part.
Competition entrants were challenged with creating a new business in one of five key sectors; Tourism, Food, Retail, Care or the Creative Industries. The competition was launched on 10 November 2021 with the winners announced at an event in Carmarthen on the 2 March. The business was to exist on paper only, but would be judged on how likely it would be to succeed.
The aim of this annual competition is to nurture young entrepreneurs and offer them not only financial support but continued business support to help them to flourish.
Pembrokeshire College learners threw themselves into the challenge with A-level learner Tom Wickens being crowned overall winner in the Food Category with his business ‘Plumstone Welsh Bakes’. This is the second year that Pembrokeshire College learners have won the Food Category.
Tom attended the event last week to collect his award from the food category sponsor, Hilltop Honey. Whilst the competition was just for a business idea, Tom’s business is up and running and going from strength-to-strength. Tom’s competition entry revolved around a proposed innovative extension to the business. Tom commented: “You can never be too young to start a business. I would advise others to do lots of market research and find a gap in the market that has potential. You also need to be passionate! I learned all my baking skills from my mum and College has supported me with this dream. They have kindly provided me with branded marketing materials for me to use at various events.”
Enterprise co-ordinator at the College, David Gleed, supported the learners and added: “I love being involved in competitions such as this that really allow learners to develop their business ideas with the support of industry professionals. Congratulations to all the finalists and, in particular, to Tom and his delicious Welsh cakes.”
The organisers would like to pass on their sincere thanks to the five sponsors, one for each of the five business areas.
