The Dragons' Apprentice Challenge

"This was an excellent platform for young people to directly experience the challenges of leadership, identifying roles and making decisions as part of a team, problem solving and also learning about the needs of and engaging with local charities. I particularly liked the charity focus and how teams not only engaged with those that need support in our community but the evident learnings that come from participating in such a Challenge."

Michael McGrath
The Muscle Help Foundation (MHF)

All the work you did through the Dragons' Apprentice Challenge made it possible for Youth Talk to commission our new website.  More young people will hear about us and be able to contact us more easily - especially through their mobiles.  Thank you.

Joanna Banks

Youth Talk

"The Dragons' Apprentice Challenge inspires young people to succeed in business. It gives them a taste of what making a living on your own account is all about. At Debenhams Ottaway our core commercial client base are successful entrepreneurs and just like the Dragons in the challenge we very much see it as our role not just to solve legal problems but to help our client’s succeed in business."

Luke Tucker Harrison
Debenhams Ottaway

"The Dragons’ Apprentice Challenge is unique because it links local young people, schools, businesses and charitable organisations together in a partnership where everybody wins. The CVS exists to build the capacity of the voluntary sector and this project again demonstrates our ability to create innovative ways of achieving great outcomes."

Ian Richardson
CVS Broxbourne and East Herts

"St George's has taken part in the Challenge since 2011. We believe it offers a unique opportunity for our students to experience a practical business challenge whilst generating much needed revenue for local charities  From the start the business mentors have provided invaluable advice to each group. Many teams achieve incredible financial success but even those that don't undoubtedly benefit from the learning experience."

Kath Wright
St George's School overall winner of 2013 Challenge in St Albans district

"Most importantly, we learnt what the world of business was really like.  It took strong team work to organise our larger public events. We had to pitch in front of many businesses and convince celebrities to support us. We learnt the power of social media, local press and radio coverage. The entrepreneurial skills gained from our experience are sure to give us an advantageous start into the world of business."

Members of Team Evolve from St Albans Girls School
2014 winners of best use of social media and best poster

"It’s great to see the event go from strength to strength. I think what many of the teams achieve is amazing – especially given the academic pressures they’re under as well as competing in the Challenge."

Andrew Copley
Centre 33

The Dragons' Apprentice Challenge with its promise of thrills, adventure, challenge and victory, is something that every community of businesses could - and should - be doing!

Tom Levitt

The Company Citizen 2015

We've benefitted in so many ways.  More people now know who we are and how we can help.  The money raised will help the Society develop its counselling service and we've gained new volunteers too.

Ron Pickford

Hertfordshire Society for the Blind

"I think it is one of the best learning experiences my son has ever had. His team raised almost £2000! The scheme is brilliant - CVS need applauding for it. 4 boys had to organize everything from toilets to introducing acts/running (and applying for) a licensed bar, food, auction lots, recycling etc etc. We sat there and watched them all take real responsibility!! Wonders will never cease!"

Amanda Tarrant

"I would like to thank everyone involved with organising the challenge. In 2013 our team FEEL from STAGS won the 'Most Dynamic Team',  their £2,244  paid for our new website.  Last year (2014) the money earned by our team (ALPHA from St George's) contributed towards a film promoting awareness of cancers that may affect young people.  It's called Matthew's Mission after my son. Thank you Alpha you will have helped save lives."

Wendy Gough
Wendy Gough Cancer Awareness Foundation

"I thought the 2014 awards ceremony in St Albans was a well-run, professional event. I felt genuinely inspired by lots of what I saw – and I say this as a hardened cynic. I thought the video produced by Lee Evans Video was stunning – this should be a case study of what can be done."

Karl Wilding
NCVO

"Deloitte LLP, who have offices in St Albans and Cambridge, and who seek to employ the brightest graduates and school leavers have been very pleased to be involved with Dragons Apprentice. The St Albans programme has been very well organised and we know has brought benefits to the pupils, schools and mentoring businesses as well as the charities. We have used it to develop the communication skills of our staff, through their involvement with the teams, and to raise the profile of our Firm with potential future employees."

Paul Schofield
Deloitte

To date (April 2015) teams of young people across Hertfordshire have earned over £288,000 for over 150 charities and community groups. We're all knocked out by their achievement.

Penny Mortimer
Project Manager, St Albans Dragons' Apprentice Challenge