Enterprising Student Societies Accreditation -­‐ The RBS ESSA sponsored by LinkedIn - Recognising enterprise

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) November 1, 2011 -- • Many societies are incredibly enterprising and receive little to no recognition for their work, for example;
– Sports societies who raise money for travel, kit and tours
– Arts societies who put on performances traveling to the Edinburgh Festival and further afield
– Societies promoting charitable causes, supporting local communities and international development
• Whereas Enterprise and Entrepreneur societies can often fall short

– RBS and Find Invest Grow (FIG) are launching an accreditation and award scheme to reward, highlight and benchmark enterprising activity
– Societies will be able to apply for accreditation for free
– Societies will be able to apply for Bronze, Silver and Gold awards

Enterprising student societies are given the chance to:-
• Receive a recognised accreditation for the enterprising work they do
• Compete against other societies to receive a share of £95,000 prize money
• Be invited to the ESSA awards, attended by top UK employers and sponsors including RBS, NatWest, Coutts, LinkedIn and The Independent

In September 2011; RBS and Find Invest Grow (FIG) launched The RBS Enterprising Students Society Accreditation (ESSA); a national scheme and the most forward thinking of it’s kind, aimed at rewarding enterprising student societies and the teams behind them. Over the next year and through national competitions, ESSA will promote and encourage further enterprising activities within these societies in an attempt to increase the level of young enterprise throughout the UK.

In July 2011 David Cameron hailed young enterprise as “vital in fostering the culture of enterprise we need” he went on to say ''The jobs and growth of the future will be built on the efforts of the people who are prepared to take a risk, roll up their sleeves and start and grow a business”. Yet, until today, enterprise in Britain’s universities was, more often than not, going unrewarded and not being encouraged enough by any government or national scheme. And there are some very enterprising societies in the UK today that deserve recognition, such as;

• The University of Manchester Ski and Snowboard Club is expecting to have 700 members recruited this year, compete in over 5 championships and take around 500 students to the alps!
• Nottingham University SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) society raises over £70,000 a year, supporting charities at home and abroad!
• Newcastle Rugby society had a turnover of £12,500 last year, raising sponsorship from large graduate recruiters, holding fundraisers, selling kit and has even created their own mini training program for club sponsorship secretaries!

These societies are spearheaded by enterprising students and are enterprising organisations. These are the students with the drive and the ability to change the country for the better. These are the students that should be encouraged to develop their enterprising flair.
How does it work?
Societies can apply for accreditation, for free, online at www.theessa.com - They simply need to demonstrate enterprising activity by filling in a simple form and documenting their actions.

Once the society has been accredited by ESSA they will receive a certificate and will then qualify to enter the ESSA Awards. Here the societies will have the chance to compete against other societies across the country in various enterprising activities for a chance to win up to £25,000 for their society.
The ESSA Awards

There are 3 award categories that accredited societies can enter, dependent on the level of enterprising activity they think they will be able to achieve that year. The categories are bronze, silver and gold.

Bronze Award Silver Award Gold Award
Prize:
• £10,000 for the most viewed creative video
Prize:
• £20,000 for most innovative fundraising activity
• £10,000 for best series of events
Prize:
• £25,000 for the most enterprising society
• £20,000 for entrepreneurial use of funds
• £10,000 for best events

For more information on qualification and entry requirements please see www.theessa.com

To compete in this environment, students will need to differentiate themselves. Employers are going to be looking for them to have gone that step further. They will be looking for certifications and accreditations that will separate the applications. They are also looking for enterprising streaks in candidates. Students with a track record of successful planning and management will have a competitive edge.

Starting a business is becoming a rising trend for graduates looking to crystallise business ideas they formed at university, or to address the difficulties of finding employment. This scheme is vital in helping them focus on and develop the skills needed.

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