Tees Pioneers: Inspiring the next generation of problem solvers
What does enterprise look like when you’re ten years old?
If the final of our first Tees Pioneers challenge is anything to go by, it looks a lot like protecting the environment, celebrating Teesside’s industrial heritage, promoting the River Tees to an international audience and confidently pitching ideas to a room full of business leaders.
Over the past few months, pupils from primary schools across the Tees Valley have taken part in Tees Pioneers, a new enterprise programme developed to introduce young people to the industries, opportunities and innovation that exist on their doorstep.
Working in teams, the children were challenged to develop a business idea inspired by the River Tees and the industries it supports. Along the way they learned how to generate ideas, work collaboratively, solve problems and present their thinking with confidence.
The programme culminated in a celebration event, where each team pitched their idea to a panel of judges drawn from across industry.
The ideas themselves were brilliant.
Some focused on tackling oil spills and protecting the environment. Others created visitor experiences showcasing Teesside’s engineering heritage and world-leading industries. Every presentation reflected a different perspective, but they all shared one thing in common.
The children thought big.
Nobody limited themselves to serving a local market. Many immediately started talking about international customers, global growth and exporting their ideas around the world.
Just as impressive was the confidence they showed when answering questions.
The judging panel challenged their thinking, asking how they would fund their businesses, overcome obstacles and improve their ideas. Rather than being phased, the teams adapted, defended their decisions and often came up with even better solutions on the spot.
Of course, there were moments that made everyone smile.
Some teams planned to fund their businesses with birthday money or earnings from small jobs. Others offered shares to the judges in return for investment, while one entrepreneurial group attempted to strengthen their pitch with homemade baked goods.
Those moments captured exactly what Tees Pioneers is about.
The programme isn’t designed to encourage every child to start a business.
It’s about helping young people develop the confidence to communicate, work as a team, think creatively, solve problems and believe their ideas are worth sharing. Those are skills they’ll carry with them whatever path they choose.
Perhaps most importantly, it introduces children to the opportunities that exist within Teesside’s port-enabled economy long before they’re making decisions about GCSEs, college or careers.
If we want more young people to see a future for themselves here, we need to start that conversation much earlier.
We’re incredibly grateful to our judges, Bill Scott OBE DL, Jane Reynolds MBE, Craig Garbutt, Sam Moralee and Julie Hollins, for giving their time and encouragement throughout the final. Our thanks also go to Andrew and Louise Stogdale, whose energy and expertise brought the programme to life, and to Emma Littlewood at AV Dawson for ensuring the day ran so smoothly.
The ideas on display were imaginative, ambitious and, above all, optimistic.
We can’t wait to see where the next cohort of Tees Pioneers takes us.