Our successful Business Ambassador scheme, which brings enterprise and work-related learning expertise into schools, has been adopted in Europe.

The initiative is now being mirrored in schools in Groningen, Holland, following a series of visits to the North East to see how it works.

This follows contact from Ron Van Gent MKB Association in Groningen two years ago, expressing an interest in Newcastle EBP’s work. This was followed by a visit from their staff to learn about us, and three EBP staff visited Holland recently to meet the first cohort of business ambassadors in the Dutch scheme.

Michel Schreuder, of Van Giesesteijn - an EBP equivalent organisation – says: “No matter what industry or sector the youngsters end up working in, there is definitely a role for us to play in helping them with business skills development so they are better prepared for the world of work.”

The Business Ambassador Scheme started in Durham EBP and is funded by Regional Development Agency One North East.