The Independent On Sunday published an article about Richard Branson’s campaign to encourage young people to see that enterprise is an option. He discussed Virgin Media Pioneers and our recent Control Shift Report.
Richard Branson with Virgin Media Pioneers Zoe Jackson, Abdul Khan, Jamal Edwards, Edwin Broni-Mensah and Charmaine Capener
Snippets from the article:
Richard Branson said: ‘I believe we need to encourage all young people to consider an alternative to the traditional career path, and I think entrepreneurship offers some hope.
I identify with these young people. As a young businessman, I faced my fair share of difficulties when I was starting up.
Large enterprises and government can and must do more to help these young entrepreneurs.
In 2010, we launched Virgin Media Pioneers, an online community for young entrepreneurs, with the aim of helping young people realise their potential. By championing a cause that is both close to my heart and vitally important to the future of the UK’s economic recovery, we are providing easy access to peers, practical advice from experts and tangible support for young entrepreneurs.
And now we have set up Control Shift: The Rise of Young Entrepreneurs, a campaign that gives a voice to young, aspiring entrepreneurs and puts them at the centre of the conversation – about the obstacles they face and their ideas on the best ways to overcome them. Their ideas are at the heart of the Control Shift action plan we are this week putting to the Government, to business and to young people.
So can we unlock huge economic benefits by remodelling the Student Loan Company as the Youth Investment Company and offer start-up loans to young people on the same terms as student loans?
I have long advocated that a full-time university education lasting 18 months, with shorter holidays, would result in less debt and more motivated students who are prepared for the jobs of the future. These proposals should be listened to.’
