Monmouthshire County Council has received the High Impact Award for its work during Global Enterprise Week when inspirational guest speakers visited local schools offering students the opportunity to discover how they successfully set up their own businesses.

In Abergavenny some sixty students participated at King Henry VIII School on Monday November 16 - and there were similarly well-attended sessions in Chepstow and Caldicot schools later that week.

Councillor Liz Hacket Pain, cabinet member for schools and learning said, “I’m delighted that the council has gained a much sought after award as I was very pleased with the three events.

“There was no doubt that participating students benefited from the experience and knowledge of our guests as well as from attending the workshops we arranged. I hope that we can repeat similar Global Enterprise Week events in the future.”

Throughout the three days students took part in speed networking with organisations and agencies such as Business Wales, GAVO, The Prince’s Trust, Young Enterprise, Y Prentis and Wales Co-op. As well as offering information, advice and guidance, it was an excellent opportunity to bring the worlds of education and business together.

Entrepreneurs and role models from the Big Ideas Wales project, Glenda Jones, Jayne Brown and Kevin Mansell-Abell, were keynote speakers and they took part in a workshop on enterprise and entrepreneurship.

Another workshop to enhance knowledge and understanding of self-employment was arranged by the Centre for Business while Sian Williams of Software at Work and Ross Oakley of RJO Massage Therapy provided mentoring for the school’s students.

In addition, students designed and pitched their business ventures to a team of dragons - Rod Cunningham, King Henry VIII School’s Chair of Governors, Peter Davies (Head of Commercial and People Development for Monmouthshire County Council) and Claire Brown of Spectrum Internet.

A Global Entrepreneurship Week UK spokesperson said, “Congratulations to Monmouthshire County Council on being selected as a winner of the High Impact award and helping the campaign to make the UK a more entrepreneurial place. This year’s theme was Make it Happen, and thanks to Monmouthshire County Council and our many other partners, we did just that.”

Councillor Bob Greenland, cabinet member with responsibility for Innovation and Enterprise commented, “The award recognises the outstanding preparations made in the approach to Global Enterprise Week and the contribution of students and guests at Caldicot, Chepstow and King Henry VIII schools. I’m very grateful to the guests for the assistance they lent to our students. It is particularly pleasing to be honoured with this award as Monmouthshire’s priorities include our schools and the promotion of business with job creation.”

Global Entrepreneurship Week is the world’s largest celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch start-ups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare. During one week each November, GEW inspires people everywhere through local, national and global activities designed to help them take the next step in their entrepreneurial journey. These activities, from large-scale competitions and events to intimate networking gatherings, connect participants to potential collaborators, mentors and even investors—introducing them to new possibilities and exciting opportunities.