A talented team of up-and-coming entrepreneurs from Leicester College have made it through to the last stage of the CIPS 2015 Negotiation Challenge.

The three learners, Melanie White, William Gotch and Jasper Alyn-Stephens, all attend the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy, established by star of Dragons’ Den Peter Jones CBE.

The competition, now in its fourth year, raises the profile of procurement and supply management as a career choice and helps young people grow in confidence and master the art of persuasion in a business setting.

Peter Jones CBE said: “I’m always delighted to see Peter Jones Enterprise Academy students putting their mettle to the test in the CIPS Negotiation Challenge. Every year they take part and every year they come out stronger and better-equipped to enter the world of work.

“It’s this kind of practical initiative that really helps them develop the skills needed to progress as young entrepreneurs. I’m looking forward to hearing all about the final.”

Launched by the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply in partnership with the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy, which is run by the Peter Jones Foundation, the challenge has seen 16-19 year olds from all over the country vying for a place in the last round.

Having impressed throughout a series of trial scenarios designed to test and develop their negotiation skills, the Leicester College group will now attend the grand final at Heathrow Airport on February 12.

They will be competing against five other Peter Jones Enterprise Academy teams for the coveted top spot.

Team member Melanie White said: “We are really excited to be part of the finals in this challenge as we can use the skills we have learnt and put them to the test.

“The challenge has really made us think about how useful and important negotiation skills are in everyday situations and has also enabled us to work closely in a team and under pressure in order to deliver results quickly and effectively.”

Leicester College Business Enterprise Manager Rupinder Drew said: “We are absolutely delighted that our learners are through to the finals of the CIPS Challenge.

“The team worked hard and really analysed all the scenarios in order to be able to justify their answers. The competition has given them the confidence to work outside of their comfort zones.”

During the final, the learners will face a business simulation game, which will challenge them to work together as property developers, negotiating to ensure the most successful outcome for their hypothetical companies.

The overall winners will receive an award on the day and will feature in Supply Management magazine, which reaches over 40,000 procurement professionals worldwide. They will also be invited to attend the CIPS Annual Conference in October.

Peter Jones Foundation CEO Alice Barnard said: “We are delighted to be working once again with the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply on this very beneficial challenge.

“The personal qualities that the competition promotes in our Peter Jones Enterprise Academy students – such as confidence, creativity and the ability to negotiate and to think on their feet – are essential to their development as young entrepreneurs.

“It’s wonderful that the students can have such fun whilst refining the skills that will help them on the road to success. Challenges like this really do offer invaluable experience and are a huge asset to us as we strive to put enterprise at the heart of education in the UK.”

CIPS CEO David Noble said: “It’s encouraging to see that there are so many young entrepreneurs eager to take part in the Negotiation Challenge again this year, equipped with their flourishing business skills.

“We will continue to strive towards raising the profile of procurement careers to a younger generation. Often we hear from industry that procurement talent is often hard to find so CIPS has been working to build the profile of procurement as an excellent career for young people.

“Possessing skills, such as negotiation, sets young people in good stead for any career path they choose, but it’s particularly important in procurement and business. Partnering with the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy will hopefully help to bridge this talent gap, and nurture the future generation of procurement leaders.”

The six Peter Jones Enterprise Academy colleges that have made the final of this year’s competition are:

• Amersham and Wycombe College
• Dudley College
• Leicester College
• Oldham College
• Peterborough Regional College
• South Essex College