Theo Paphitis

Following the launch this weekend of the UK’s first entrepreneur festival for children held at KidZania, the attraction is inviting children to take part in a new KidZania Challenge, for Global Entrepreneur Week.

Global Entrepreneur Week takes place from 13th – 19th November 2017, but aims to inspired enterprise and ideas in young people all year round.

What is the KidZania Challenge?

This year KidZania will launch the KidZania Challenge across schools, with the challenge open to pupils aged 11-15 years, for Key Stage 3. The challenge aims to encourage more schools to visit KidZania, and learn about the facilities they have on offer.

Working in teams of six within schools, the students work on real life business challenges. This helps to develop the enterprise and employability skills of all the young people who take part including teamwork, communication, leadership, creativity and presentation. 

The KidZania Challenge will involve pupils devising a new activity which could join the existing ‘careers’ available for kids at KidZania.

The winning team from each school will represent their school at the National Finals judged by Theo Paphitis, Kidzania and other high-profile judges. The National finals will be on 4th July 2018. 

More about the challenge

KidZania is working with the Ryman National Enterprise Challenge, which is the UK’s largest enterprise and employability competition for children aged 11-15. 

The Ryman National Enterprise Challenge has specifically chosen Global Entrepreneur Week to celebrate its sixth year of developing enterprise skills amongst young people. Once again, they are supported by Dragons’ Den Star and tycoon, Theo Paphitis, and new partner, KidZania. 

Theo Paphitis, chairman of Theo Paphitis Retail Group and ambassador for the Ryman National Enterprise Challenge, said: “The Ryman National Enterprise Challenge is a fantastic way for kids to learn vital life and business skills to prepare them for the world of work. 

“Recent research tells us that 73% of young people believe that better life skills would help them get a job in the future; the Ryman National Enterprise Challenge teaches this in bucket loads as the kids are tasked with seeing a business plan through from start to finish, including everything from marketing to financials. 

“It’s a great opportunity for schools to get involved and help students to gain life skills, confidence and have a bit of fun too!” 

The Ryman National Enterprise Challenge is a full day enterprise programme for Secondary schools in the UK. Open to children 11-15 years old, the challenge is split into two categories: Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. 

For more information, visit kidzania.co.uk and www.nationalenterprisechallenge.co.uk