Award-winning Coleg Gwent learners reach Young Enterprise UK Finals
The Young Enterprise programme gives learners the opportunity to experience the realities of running a business, from developing products and marketing their ideas to managing finances and presenting to industry judges.
6 July 2026
Learners from Coleg Gwent’s Level 2 Work Related Education programme have celebrated an outstanding year in the Young Enterprise Team Programme, with two student-led businesses earning regional awards and one team securing a place in the UK Finals.
The first team, TLZ Wellness, developed and sold student mental health and wellbeing boxes designed to support learners’ wellbeing. The second team, Calm and Colour, created colourful tie-dye tops alongside repurposed sensory toys, packaged as wellbeing boxes. Their innovative business idea saw them progress all the way to the Young Enterprise UK Finals – an incredible achievement that recognised their creativity, teamwork and entrepreneurial spirit.
Throughout the competition, the learners received a range of prestigious awards, including:
- Sustainability Award
- Best Customer Service
- Best Branding
- Best Presentation
- Best Technology
- Overall Winner (Team Programme) – twice
- Inspire Award
The Young Enterprise programme gives learners the opportunity to experience the realities of running a business, from developing products and marketing their ideas to managing finances and presenting to industry judges. Along the way, students build valuable employability skills including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership and confidence.
The experience has also helped strengthen learners’ CVs and personal portfolios, giving them meaningful examples to discuss in job interviews and demonstrating the practical skills they have developed outside the classroom.
Kelly Wagstaff, Lecturer of Business and IT at Coleg Gwent, said:
“I am incredibly proud of everything our learners have achieved through the Young Enterprise programme. They embraced every challenge with enthusiasm, creativity and professionalism, and their success reflects the hard work and dedication they have shown throughout the year.
Beyond the awards, the experience has equipped them with practical business and employability skills that they can showcase in their portfolios and talk about confidently in interviews. These are experiences that will continue to benefit them as they progress into further education, apprenticeships and employment.”
Learner Jack Bull from the Calm and Colour team added:
“Taking part in Young Enterprise has been one of the best experiences I’ve had at college. It gave me the opportunity to work as part of a real business, develop my confidence, and improve skills like communication, teamwork and problem-solving.
Reaching the UK Finals and winning so many awards was something we’re all really proud of. It’s also given me great examples to include in my portfolio and to talk about in interviews, helping me show employers the skills and experience I’ve gained beyond the classroom.”
Congratulations to all the learners involved on their fantastic achievements and for representing Coleg Gwent with such professionalism, creativity and determination throughout the competition.
