Green fingered learners put theory in to practice

Two teams of students from Coleg y Cymoedd impressed a panel of Wales’ leading marketers with a business proposal atBrolio/The Pitch, a challenge set by Sustainability Wales, The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and Big Ideas Wales.

The teams competed against fellow college and universitymarketing students from across Wales, who presented their ideas to an expert panel. This challenge was supported and part funded by Welsh Government and aims to inspire young people to start their own businesses or consider a career in marketing.

The students chosen to represent the college were given a detailed brief by Sustainability Wales and asked to consider budgets, messaging and marketing tools in their presentations, to give them an understanding of a real-life business scenario. Students went through a rigorous process to be selected for the challenge by Coleg y Cymoedd Enterprise Champion Bob Tod.

The Coleg y Cymoedd BTEC Business students Rhys Llewellyn, Josh Jarrett and Laura Averiss competed under the team name Team Triumph”. Learners Connor Gratton and Carys Reville competed as “Team Absolute”.

Both teams presented excellent campaigns on different approaches to Sustainability. Team Absolute pitched their innovative concept of online receipts, while Team Triumph presented their idea of an ethical stationery business.

Student Connor Gratton of Team Absolute said: “I really enjoyed the whole event; I gained a lot of confidence from pitching to a room full of strangers. This experience will be really valuable for when I apply to university, both in looking great on my application and in helping with interviews”.

Chief Executive of The Chartered Institute of Marketing Anne Godfrey said: “CIM’s Brolio/The Pitch is a great opportunity for both FE and HE students to practice their marketing skills in a competitive environment. As ever I was amazed by the innovation, passion and skill exhibited by all of the teams despite their nerves! I hope all of the students came away with a real understanding of what it means to interpret and deliver a brief, pitch to demanding clients and win business. Their participation in Brolio can only increase their confidence, add value to their CVs and help their employability.”

Steve Andrews Marketing Lecturer at Coleg y Cymoedd said: “This was an invaluable experience which has greatly assisted the students in their understanding of marketing. Brolio/The Pitch is always a worthwhile competition, as it gets the students to apply theories and concepts to a practical situation. I have no doubt that this will assist them in their development not only in marketing but in business in general. All of the students worked very hard and went the extra mile to deliver an excellent presentation to the standard that was a credit to themselves and the college.”

He further added: “I’m immensely proud of them for all of the effort and commitment that they showed.” A Celebration event will be held for the students with Coleg y Cymoedd Principal Judith Evans.

Student Rhys Llewellyn of team Triumph said: “This was a great opportunity, and I wasn’t as nervous pitching as I thought I would be! The chance to network and speak to other entrepreneurs has been fantastic; I would recommend the experience to anyone.”

The judging panel included included Jade Tambini, Marketing Manager at DS Smith Recycling, Rhodri Thomas, Training and Development Manager at Cynnal Cymru – Sustain Wales and renowned UK designer Angela Gidden MBE.

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