Those taking part in the two-day Wonka World experience will require ‘pure imagination’ to complete various creative tasks, including the Great Glass Elevator Challenge and the Invention Factory.
They will be coached by Wonka’s ‘Chocolatiers’, including successful entrepreneurs and experts from MMU Centre for Enterprise , who will award ‘golden eggs’ to the best performing teams in a closing awards ceremony
The annual New Directions event, delivered by the MMU Centre for Enterprise, is fully funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is free to UK or EU students and graduates living in the North West. It is part of the university’s Enterprise Champions programme to develop entrepreneurial talent and support student start-up businesses.
Ann Mulhaney, Enterprise Fellow at MMU Centre for Enterprise, said: “The number of UK graduate start-up businesses has risen by almost 70 per cent in the past four years and this fun event is a career springboard with a serious aim of developing enterprising skills. There will be sessions on how to build a personal brand, creativity, generating ideas, problem solving and how to makes ideas happen. These are all valuable skills for employment, whether participants choose to build their own business or not.”
She continued: “Willy Wonka is a great example of an entrepreneur, which is why we’ve themed the day around Wonka World. Also, everyone loves chocolate! Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet, network and exchange knowledge with successful local entrepreneurs. Those students who come with a new business idea will be able to discuss and develop their ideas with our experts.”
Since 2008 the MMU Centre for Enterprise team has helped more than 1,500 students to develop their enterprising skills, as well as helping to create over 100 new graduate businesses.
