A CALL has gone out to Merseyside business leaders to help nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs.

As part of the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in March, Liverpool City Council has organised a competition to find the most business savvy school.

The Great Enterprise Challenge was launched last year, and the final will comprise 10 teams, made up of five primary phase and five secondary schools from across the city.

Now the council is appealing for volunteer mentors from the city's business community to work with the 10 finalists and help develop their entrepreneurial skills and sharpen their business acumen.
 
Each finalist will consist of a team of between three and six children or young people who have worked together since mid-October, supported by either a teacher or a learning support assistant.
 
Schools Showcase, on Thursday, February 9, follows the volunteer mentors working with the schools for a one hour session.

Richard Smith, mentor coordinator at Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, explained: “Teams of up to three mentors will assist each school with such topics as marketing, finance and presentation-coaching between February 20 and March 9.

"It’s a great opportunity for the business community to nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs; it’s a minimum time commitment that can make a big difference to the city’s young people.”
 
The final of Liverpool’s Great Enterprise Challenge will take place on Tuesday, March 13, as part of the Global Entrepreneurship Congress 2012 week that runs from March 9 to 16.
 
If you would like to participate as a volunteer mentor, please email Richard Smith at Richard.Smith@liverpoolchamber.org.uk