Between Monday 16th July and Thursday 19th July 2018, Pontypool Indoor Market will be buzzing with activity and excitement as it plays host to Torfaen’s 2nd annual Enterprise Week.
During the past few months, pupils from schools across Torfaen have been developing their creative, enterprise and work skills. They have been making a range of innovative and unique products – from decorative memory jars, signs, dreamcatchers and garden products through to natural soap and recycled goods – which they will sell at their individual stalls in the Market during Enterprise Week.
Local Torfaen firms have partnered with the schools and have each provided a £50 donation. This money has helped the schools purchase materials and supplies to make their products.
The partner businesses have also generously given their time and support. They have visited the schools in order to provide mentoring, run business planning sessions and shared valuable advice with pupils and teachers on the challenges of developing an enterprise. The pupils have learnt about a diverse range of business topics – from product development and innovation to research and marketing as well as developing a greater understanding of setting up a business, income generation, handling money and the world of work.
Chair of Torfaen Business Club praises Enterprise Week Project
Ashley Harkus from local law firm Everett Tomlin Lloyd & Pratt and Chair of Torfaen’s Business Club, Torfaen Business Voice said “Torfaen Enterprise Week is a wonderful opportunity for young people of Torfaen to get a taste of business and enterprise and to gain an understanding of how a business operates. We have been delighted to support this excellent initiative and help a local school. We have been impressed by the enthusiasm and endeavour shown by the children. Good luck and well done to everyone who is taking part.”
Councillor Alan Jones, executive member for business, culture, leisure and tourism at Torfaen County Borough Council said:
“Torfaen Enterprise Week provides a fantastic opportunity for our young people to realise the fruits of their efforts and I am sure it will be a great success.”
Timetable for Torfaen Enterprise Week: 16th – 19th July
Pontypool Indoor Market
Here’s a round up of the schools taking part and their partner businesses, what the pupils will be selling and the date they will be at Pontypool Indoor Market between 10am and 2pm.
| School | Business | Date at Pontypool Indoor Market | Products selling |
| Blaenavon Heritage VC Primary | RWA Compliance | Monday 16th July | Mixed flower seeds with the aim of spreading awareness and helping the environment with increasing the number of bees and butterfles |
| George Street Primary | Everett Tomlin Lloyd & Pratt | Monday 16th July | Healthy bird food in the form of fat balls |
| Griffithstown Primary | One to One Mortgage Solutions | Tuesday 17th July | Decorated memory jars for special occasions and raising money for Rowan House Nursing Home |
| New Inn Primary | Frog Bikes | Wednesday 18th July | Environmentally friendly and ecologically sound soap using natural ingredients from school grounds and gardens |
| Penygarn Primary | Tesco (Pontypool) | Wednesday 18th July | Magnetic and pre printed tick box shopping list with dry wipe pen |
| Cwmffrwdoer Primary | Festival Funk Clothing | Thursday 19th July | English and Welsh handmade house decorations with messages |
| Garnteg Primary | Pro Steel Engineering | Thursday 19th July | Handmade garden products, keyrings, bookmarks and plaques out of recyclable materials and 2nd hand donations |
In addition, key stage 3 pupils from Abersychan Secondary School working towards an Agored qualification for planning an enterprise activity have been working out of Changing Gearz on Panteg industrial estate. They will be at the Market on Monday 16th July selling a range of bespoke, practical and decorative products including dream catchers made from recycled materials such as wire, metal and ribbon.
An awards ceremony will take place on Friday morning 20th July which will recognise the work and success of the pupils’ efforts.
