Six groups of students from schools across the UK have been working with Hyundai Motor UK to set-up their own businesses through the company’s ‘Skills for the Future’ initiative.

The schools involved are: Highcrest Academy, High Wycombe, John Colet School, Aylesbury, Ysgol Gyfyn Gymraeg Llangynwyd, Bridgend, Holmer Green Senior School, High Wycombe, St. John Fisher Catholic High School, Harrogate and Cirencester College, Cirencester.

For each school, a team of between eight and 11 pupils between the ages of 14 and 17 have come together to form a business and develop a new product or service that has a connection to the car industry. With the help of a link teacher and a mentor from Hyundai Motor UK, the students are working on plans to raise capital, manufacture, market and sell their new proposition.

On April 27, each business will come together at Hyundai Motor UK’s training academy in High Wycombe to pitch their business ideas to Hyundai’s board executives to compete for the title of ‘Best Business Enterprise’.

The winning business will go through to the European finals that will take place in Prague, Czech Republic June 8-10 for the title of ‘Best Skills for the Future Student Company in Europe’.

Chief executive of Hyundai Motor UK Tony Whitehorn said: “Hyundai Motor UK is inspiring the next generation of budding entrepreneurs across the country and helping them to reach their potential.

“Hyundai’s Skills for the Future programme is an excellent way to help increase the employability skills and entrepreneurial spirit of students, not just here in Britain, but also across Europe.

“We are committed to investing time and resource into ensuring that young people are ready to compete in today’s highly competitive job market.”

President of Hyundai Motor Europe Byung Kwon Rhim said: “We are committed to helping drive economic growth in Europe, and by investing in the business leaders of tomorrow we are contributing to a more prosperous future.”