A COMPETITION that sees students put their business brains to the test has been backed by club DJ Alex Simmons.

The DJ, promoter and producer, known for his remixes of I Kissed a Girl, Kids and Karma Police, will be one of the guest speakers at the new business competition, Umph!

The contest invites 16 to 19-year-olds from West Yorkshire schools and colleges to take part in a virtual business game on Thursday, June 16, at Huddersfield’s Galpharm Stadium.

The winning team will receive an iPad, a personal copy of the SimVenture game and the Umph! 2011 Trophy. A special prize will also be presented to the person who demonstrates the most enterprising flair on the day.

Alex said he was thrilled to be asked to support the competition, explaining how he benefited from the help he received from business mentors when he was a teenager.

He said: “I went off the rails when I was at school aged 13, but I was a nice lad. The school just didn’t give me any challenges.

“I was lucky enough to get involved with Young Enterprise. I wasn’t academic, but as soon as I was given real challenges in the real world, I thrived.”

Through the scheme, Alex found success as a young businessman, saying: “I learnt a lot about promotions and communication, about teamwork.

“So I’m all for practical events like Umph! because it doesn’t just focus on exam results and theory.

“I’m passionate about creating opportunities for kids and there’s nothing better than business mentors in the real world as role models.”

Major Umph! sponsors include Huddersfield Town, Huddersfield University, Kirklees College, marketing agency Fantastic Media, Kirklees Council, Lick Group and Sainsbury’s.