Business competition launched for Barking and Dagenham youths

‘That’s Pitchin’!’ is open to pupils from all the secondary schools in the borough

Young people in Barking and Dagenham are in with a chance of winning over £7,000 worth of prizes as part of an online business competition.

14-19 year olds are being encouraged to enter ‘That’s Pitchin’!’ to help gain the skills needed to grow business ideas.

The competition has been launched by Barking and Dagenham College, in partnership with the global skills-development academy, Empowered Youth.

Dene Botha, founder and MD of Empowered Youth said, “With the past 14 months of incredibly difficult and disrupted education that the youth have endured, research points towards high demand for more innovative methods of delivering education and content.

“The key-words that keep surfacing are: Modern, exciting, inspiring, interactive, cool, impactful and rewarding.

“Well, ’That’s Pitchin’!’ delivers on all of those.”

Participants will take part in interactive workshops and then be given a series of challenges to complete.

The best applicants will be entered into the grand final on 9 June where they will pitch their ideas in front of a panel of judges.

Dr Joy Kettyle, Chief Operating Officer at the College said, “We are so excited to launch this competition for the young people of our borough.

“I can’t wait to watch the pitches at the final in June.”

The winner will receive a £2,500 cash investment for their business idea and a 6 month one-to-one mentorship from Empowered Youth Academy, with cash prizes also on offer for the runners up.

‘That’s Pitchin’!’ will be open for applications until May 14th.

For more on this story, and the latest on our other local and national news, listen to Time 107.5FM