This academic year the College started an enterprise programme aimed at giving students experience of setting up and running their own business. Four students came forward: Jonathan Sorkin, Adrian Ellis, Connor Clarkson and Britney Kepple.
They attended enterprise lessons on a Wednesday afternoon during enrichment time. The group was entered into the Leap Enterprise competition with schools, colleges and sixth forms across Leeds to compete against other enterprise businesses.
After market research, board meetings and group discussions “Hard Days Craft” was born, with the aim of upcycling waste construction materials that the college produced and turn them into useful, quirky products for sale. Products included unique tiled coasters, log candle holders, construction themed handmade picture frames and plaster-casted snowmen kits for children.
The students have put a huge effort into this, in February they attended a trade fair in the Merrion Centre where the products were sold to the public. At this event they were awarded “best trade stand” and were presented with their prize by Christine Talbot from ITV Yorkshire.
At the start of May the Hard Days Craft team attended the Leap Enterprise Scheme Award Ceremony and walked away with a number of awards:
- Winner - Best Enterprise Company
- Winner - Best Trade Stand at the Awards Event
- Winner - Best Trade Stand at the Valentines Trade Fair
- Runner Up – Best Marketing
- Runner Up – Best Logo
Steve Roberts, lecturer at Leeds College of Building has overseen the work of the Hard Days Craft Team and said “we are immensely proud of our students for what they have achieved, not only have they represented the College in a professional manner, they have gained experience in recruitment, planning, marketing, production, quality control, report writing and managing finances. All of which are vital skills in the general running of a business, which they can now add to their CVs or use in future business ventures.”
Hard Days Craft Team win prizes
