Business students at Newbury College will be taking part in Barclays nationally-run Preparing for Work programme during the week commencing 2 March, as part of their unit of work 'Managing a Business Event'.

The event will run alongside the College's Progression Week which is aimed to encourage students to think about their future career paths. The week will consist of a number of activities and workshops giving students the chance to create their own business which will conclude with the College's own version of Dragon's Den. The judges will be external business specialists, who will award a cash prize to the most deserving team.

Peter Doyle, course leader for business at Newbury College said, "The 2015 Barclay's Prepare for Work programme is a super opportunity for our students to really engage with local employers. The programme encourages our students to sharpen their views on how to look for job opportunities, prepare for interviews and to perform consistently".

Barclays Prepare for Work is a brand new programme designed to help Further Education Colleges in the UK to help students improve their chances of securing and maintaining employment. The week also aims to enable students to gain a better knowledge and understanding of entrepreneurial skills and to think differently about starting their own business.

'Prepare for Work' is run in partnership with The National Skills Academy for Financial Services, alongside College Development Network in Scotland, Now in Northern Ireland and CollegesWales. The programme is supported by Barclays as part of their commitment to 5 Million Young Futures. Through programmes focused on enterprise, employability and financial skills, Barclays is giving millions of young people a platform to achieve their goals, build their own businesses, get jobs and become financially independent.