Ignite programme empowers BSDC Business students with entrepreneurial skills and real-world experience

Business students from Burton and South Derbyshire College (BSDC) have recently benefited from a learning programme, Ignite, which aims to support learners in understanding successful business and entrepreneurship.

The Ignite programme is delivered for Staffordshire County Council by Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and has just completed its fourth academic year. Their initiative offers a comprehensive set of resources tailored to post-16 students aspiring to launch their own businesses in Staffordshire, either now or in the future.

At BSDC, business learners benefit from the Ignite programme, complementing the existing curriculum by offering practical insights into areas such as market research, business planning, financial forecasting, taxation and marketing. By connecting classroom learning to real-world applications, learners can feel confident in pursuing their future aspirations.

The Ignite programme enhances BSDC’s exceptional Business courses by equipping learners with practical skills tailored to their interests, helping them shape and grow their career aspirations. Isabel Slack, business learner said: “The skills I’ve gained from this course are very useful, helping me become more employable by preparing me for different career opportunities, while also improving my personal life."

Amrit Virk, Assistant Principal at Burton and South Derbyshire College, also said: “It’s about entrepreneurial skills, how learners can build businesses, and how they can work with their ideas. Employers in the area value employees with strong soft skills, and it’s great that experts from the Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce lead this initiative.”

“This programme aligns perfectly with our Skills Promise, ensuring learners not only gain industry-recognised qualifications but also develop the transferable skills, qualities, and the confidence to stand out in their chosen careers. It’s fundamental that colleges work collaboratively with the County Council and the Chamber to focus on developing the key skills Staffordshire needs now and in the future."

To watch the case study video, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8vFuCPFEio or to find out more about Business courses at Burton and South Derbyshire College, visit https://www.bsdc.ac.uk/explore/course/index/5.