Business Development Admin Assistant Colin Rae represented Forth Valley College recently at a special Scottish Enterprise event held in Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall.
The Common Purpose event organised by Scottish Enterprise - and billed as its chairman Bob Keiller’s Challenge – took place on Monday 12 November and attracted young people aged between 18-24 and aimed to help develop entrepreneurial skills and create business leaders of the future.
Lasting a full day, the attendees which included students from colleges and universities, modern apprentices and employees from a variety of different industries, were put into groups of six (each with a mentor) and tasked with coming up with an idea to pitch to a panel of judges.
The challenge itself was to look at several areas including: Inequality; poverty; Food & Water; Lack of Education; safety/security/wellbeing; large scale conflicts; Lack of economic opportunity and unemployment. Colin’s group created Scotstart focussing on a rural area.
Colin, pictured here with his certificate, said: “Our idea received positive feedback from the panel and they said it was definitely something that could be taken further. The whole event was really good. It was a great experience to help develop an idea in a matter of hours and then pitch and present it to a group of business leaders. I would recommend it to others to attend in the future.
“It has definitely boosted my confidence and helped me speak better in public. What a chance it was to meet other people from various different sectors and areas and where – no matter what you do for a job – your opinions and views matter as well and are taken seriously.”
Ralph Burns, FVC’s Head of Human Resources, said: “Forth Valley College has a proud tradition of recognising the contribution its staff makes towards the successful achievement of College objectives, the enhancement of its reputation and the creation of a positive culture of openness, creativity and collaboration. Colin is a fine example of the ambitions of the People Strategy and a positive vision of our future."