WEST Yorkshire entrepreneur Claire Young has urged Prime Minister David Cameron to do more to inspire young people to get into business.
Claire, a finalist in the 2008 series of TV’s The Apprentice, now works with students of all ages and with Birstall-based design and marketing agency Fantastic Media to raise aspirations and encourage young enterprise.
She told Mr Cameron that work to encourage enterprise was not being properly measured – so that in years to come the government would not be able to accurately judge the effect of its investment.
She also argued that the current secondary curriculum did not equip young people with the life skills needed post-education.
Mr Cameron praised Claire’s involvement in enterprise and the inspirational role she plays in schools.
He said all businesses and the people working in them had a social responsibility to engage with young people and work with local schools to encourage students to participate in enterprise projects and build skills that they will use throughout their lives.
He also commented that TV shows such as The Apprentice and Dragon’s Den had a positive effect on students encouraging entrepreneurship.
Mr Cameron was speaking at a question and answer session at Leeds Trinity and All Saints’ College after holding a cabinet meeting in West Yorkshire. Key figures from both public and private sector were invited to participate.
Said Claire: “I’m passionate about enterprise and work extensively with young people nationwide.
“ I felt I had to take the opportunity to question the Prime Minister on their behalf.
“Hopefully, we’ll see the new government backing enterprise schemes and encouraging young people to think big!”
Claire, who also runs venues management company Elegant Venues, is an official patron of Yorkshire – a title conferred on her by regional tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire, which set up the patronage scheme last year to create a list of high-profile ambassadors who will fly the flag for the county and further boost tourism.
