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Well what a weekend that was! We were delighted with the engagement and energy from 15 young people for the second X-Forces Enterprise (XFE) workshop specially designed for Cadets. The weekend workshop took place on 22nd and 23rd February 2020 in Exeter. It proved to be an action-packed workshop that was experiential and practical, using business ideas generated from within the group as the basis for some learning.
Developing Enterprise skills within young people has been a passion of Ren Kapur MBE, Founder and CEO of XFE, long before XFE was established in 2013. Having met Colonel Clinton Riley ACF, equally passionate about Youth Advancement, it was no surprise that the two of them got together to champion the programme. Col Clinton now had a solution to address the requests from senior Army Cadet Force cadets about developing Business, Finance and Enterprise skills.
Fifteen Army cadets from across the South of England and South of Wales came together at the Cadet Training Centre in Exeter, Devon, for the Enterprise for Life® programme. The programme offers an insight into business and inspires an entrepreneurial approach to support confidence and an understanding on how the economy works. The interaction between different sectors; Business, Government, Charity Sector and Public Services provided initial context. In the finale the cadets presented their business ideas in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style pitch.
The XFE team were grateful to be joined by guest speakers:
– Adam Taylor, X-Forces Enterprise Ambassador and Owner, Taylored Games;
– Lieutenant Colonel Peter Mills ACF, the Deputy Commandant of Essex ACF;
– Colonel Ashley Fulford OBE ACF, Colonel Cadets South West Regional Point of Contact;
ACF adult volunteers also supported the cadets. It proved to be an insightful and engaging weekend for everyone.
Cadet feedback was extremely positive and is encapsulated in these examples:
“I heard about the course from another (ex) cadet, who said it was the best course he had done, which really encouraged me to go this weekend.”
“Thoughtful and interactive learning, it was helpful because ideas sparked other ideas.”
“It was really useful because everyone could share and talk about their unique ideas.”
“It proved to be educational, plus we made friends!”
“The course will help me with my GCSE Business Studies”
XFE founder and CEO Ren Kapur MBE said:
“A fantastic weekend of learning and knowledge exchange topped off by some brilliant enterprise presentations in front of our panel. Loved it! All of the cadets’ business ideas talked about social change, and the balance between capitalism and social good. I even learnt a thing or two… These are our future leaders!
A big thank you goes out to Capita for believing in the programme as this has helped XFE to continue to hone and develop the learning experience. We look forward to the next one and continuing to equip young people with the all-important skills that Enterprise for Life® gives them as they navigate through their personal and professional development’’
Colonel CM Riley ACF, Army Cadet Force Colonel Cadets, said:
“It was nothing less than outstanding to see the cadets coming together, some who had not met before, learning new skills and applying them in a short period of time. Whatever the Cadets do in the future they will be able to build on what they learned over the weekend and apply those skills in both professional and personal situations.”
