• School entrepreneur program offered to high school students in Port Macquarie and Wagga Wagga in 2020
• Charles Sturt hosting a free five-day program to impart invaluable business and communication skills

Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) is urging schools in Wagga Wagga and Port Macquarie to enrol high school students in a free program in 2020 aimed at helping children obtain the business skills to become entrepreneurs.

The Illuminate:nextgen Challenge, delivered by Illuminate Education and co-organised and hosted by Charles Sturt, is a five-day intensive program wherein high school students work in teams to develop a business idea for a set challenge relevant to their region.

At the end of the week-long program, teams pitch their ideas to a panel of judges, with awards presented to the winning teams.

The program next year is being offered to schools in Wagga Wagga from Monday 24 to Friday 28 August, and in Port Macquarie from Monday 31 August to Friday 4 September, with registrations closing on Thursday 19 December 2019.

Charles Sturt Associate Dean of Research and the University’s academic lead for the program Professor Mark Morrison said activities and training are aligned with the Australian school curriculum.

“The five days provide students with the opportunity to develop critical abilities in communication, critical thinking, problem solving and collaboration,” Professor Morrison said.

“The basic business skills on offer throughout the week, like planning, market research, promotions and financial accounting, also have applications across many careers and industries.

“Charles Sturt University is proud to play a part in the roll-out of this program, and we look forward to welcoming as many students as possible to the University in Wagga Wagga and Port Macquarie.”

Students are required to be on-campus on Monday, Tuesday and Friday during the program, and have the option to work from the University or from their school on the Wednesday and Thursday.

The program’s costs have been covered by Chartered Accountants Australia, Charles Sturt and various other co-investors.

The program was held at Port Macquarie last year, and Port Macquarie-Hastings mayor Mrs Peta Pinson and St Joseph’s Regional College teacher Mrs Leanne Tinsey were both full of praise for its impact on students.

“I really enjoyed being a small part of an excellent program for our youth, and I am certain that much will be gained from the insights provided by the students,” Mrs Pinson said.

“The students had a very worthwhile week and were certainly challenged to work in a manner unfamiliar to them. Their improvement over the week was quite extraordinary,” Mrs Tinsey said.

For more information about the program, or to register your school, go to: https://illuminateeducation.com.au/nextgen