December has seen the Study Centre developing its partnership work with local Stockport businesses, through the installation of a uBiz Enterprise Education Print Shop centre.

Mark Davis, General Manager of Sigma SDI, the providers of uBizEE explained "uBizEE is an Enterprise Education solution which has been specifically designed by industry experts to mimic a real life commercial print shop and provide real life business experiences to young people. We have installed a new uBizEE print-shop within the study centre here at Edgeley Park, which will allow the centre to run workshops with students from schools across the region, helping them learn about all aspects of print production and the wider issues involved with running a business".

UBizEE Print Centres are capable of commercial quality printing and can produce everything from business cards right up to full colour glossy posters and banners, and most things in between.

Students of all abilities are encouraged through uBizEE to take pride in the products that they produce and will gain extended knowledge to help them make informed decisions about their future.

The study centre in partnership with the LA's extended schools team is offering twelve lucky KS 3 students, from eight local Secondary schools, the opportunity to take part in an innovative project based around developing Business Enterprise. The study centres fantastic media facilities, along with the uBizEE print shop will be used to inspire the students to create a product for a virtual business.

The students will be set an 'Apprentice' style task by one of the Business Mentors, from the Stockport County 100 Club, they will then set about putting together a Business Plan, which will look at market research, costings, advertising and finally the marketing of a virtual product. The students will continue to develop their business skills back at school and each participating school will receive a £500 grant from the LA. Each school will have a trade stand, which will be visited by Business mentors and parents.

The finale to the project will be an 'Apprentice' style visioning evening held at Stockport County Football Club, where three members from each school will present their vision for a virtual business and battle it out to become Stockport Secondary Schools Young Entrepreneurs of the Year.

Sigma would like to ensure that every student in the Stockport area has the very best in Enterprise Education provision. If you know of a school that might be interested further information is available from www.ubizee.com or from the Study Centre.