Students from every high school in the Isle of Man will be able to learn how to take a business idea from concept to reality and develop their entrepreneurial skills for the future.

HSBC in the Isle of Man has entered in to a three-year agreement with Junior Achievement to sponsor the Manx charity’s company programme.

Launched in 1919, the Junior Achievement (formerly known as Young Enterprise) company programme offers students aged 15 to 18 over the course of one academic year the opportunity to set up and manage their own business venture.

Students discover first-hand how a commercial concern functions and learn how to apply their individual skills to bring the product or service to market.

Each student company is supported by a volunteer business mentor who shares their experience and helps students to gain a clearer overview of job opportunities and what skills are needed to succeed in a global economy.

Junior Achievement chief executive Sue Cook said: ’HSBC has supported us for a number of years and we are delighted they are continuing their support with the company programme.

’Such a long-term agreement demonstrates how committed the bank is towards the next generation of Manx entrepreneurs.

’Students participating in the company programme are at a distinct advantage when applying for university or taking their first step on the career ladder as it is widely recognised as the top entrepreneurial programme in the world for young people in education.’

Head of sustainability HSBC Isle of Man Chantal Le Goff said: ’We are thrilled to be supporting a programme that so closely aligns with our core focus on supporting future skills, education, and employability skills for future generations. It is especially rewarding that HSBC is able to provide expert mentors through employee volunteering to help inspire young islanders at the very start of their professional lives.’

Junior Achievement Isle of Man is one of 40 countries across Europe that saw more than 350,000 students enroll in the programme in the 2017- 2018 school year.

Junior Achievement is an educational charity that each academic year runs classroom-based programmes to help more than 5,500 students in the Isle of Man make the connection between school and the world of work, enabling them to develop the knowledge and attitudes they need to succeed.

To find out more about becoming a classroom volunteer or raising funds on behalf of Junior Achievement email [email protected] or visit jaiom.im

Chantal Le Goff, head of sustainability, HSBC Isleof Man