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| Diploma students from All Hallows show off their socks! (from left to right: Richard Morton, Joshua Goldrick and John Gutierrez) |
The unusual act of losing their shoes and donning brightly coloured socks proved to be the perfect introduction to the world of business for students from the Learning Zone Sixth Form College (LZ6) and All Hallows Catholic College.
Shedding their shoes allowed the 40 Sixth Formers to experience local flooring company Barefoot Living’s products for themselves as they toured the stylish showroom and listened to Dawn Gibbins MBE, founder and CEO, explain how ‘Daring to be Different’ helped turn her business ideas into reality.
Local entrepreneur Dawn is the Employer Champion for Business, Administration and Finance Diploma students from across Cheshire East. The Diploma, which was introduced for the first time this September, is an exciting qualification which mixes classroom learning and hands-on experience, with the help of Employer Champions like Dawn.
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| East Cheshire’s Business Diploma students gather at Barefoot Living |
Charlotte Thompson, Business, Administration and Finance Diploma Co-ordinator for Cheshire East, said: ‘It is wonderful to have Dawn on board. She is proving to be such an inspiration to the students and is really bringing their learning to life.’ She continued: ‘During the visit Dawn shared her vast experience of business and marketing principles and also led a tour of the offices which gave students an idea of all the functions that go into running a successful business operation.’
Later in the course the Advanced Diploma students from LZ6 will set up their own real-life businesses which they will pitch to Dawn as she takes the role of head judge in a ‘Dragons Den’ style experience, whilst Higher Diploma students from All Hallows will set up their own business called ‘The PrintShop’, an exciting venture that Dawn promises to follow.
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| Dawn’s lively talk inspired the students |
With more than half of the business students aspiring to set up their own company and many planning to progress on to university after finishing their studies, the future looks bright for these LZ6 and All Hallows business students.
For more information on the Diploma see www.learningzone.ac.uk/lz6 or call LZ6 on 01625 410002. Alternatively see www.direct.gov.uk/diplomas and www.baf-diploma.org.uk.
