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Free chance for pupils to try business skills online
(Western Mail Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) An online business game has been launched which will be available to every secondary school in Wales free of charge. As part of its Partners in Learning Programme, Microsoft has launched the game - Sports Store Wales.
Yesterday the scheme was welcomed by teachers and businesses.
Under the scheme pupils will have the opportunity to run and manage an online store selling rugby kit and accessories.
The game was created by The Small Business Company from New Zealand and developed with the business support organisation Venture Wales.
All four Welsh rugby regions have lent their support to the project, allowing pupils to choose their favourite team on which to base their shop, Microsoft said.
They can see how well they are doing against other pupils and schools as a scoreboard is kept of the most successful businesses.
Steve Beswick, director of education at Microsoft, said, "The teaching and learning of business enterprise skills at a young age is essential to developing future successful business managers and entrepreneurs in Wales.
"It is therefore important to give young people the experience they need to test and develop those skills."
In the game pupils experience everything that is involved in running a retail business, including the hiring and firing of staff, stock control and budget forecasting.
It is also in the children's interest to do their best as the top two players of the game will receive a Microsoft Xbox 360 for their achievements, Microsoft said.
Nikki Read, head of business studies at Llan-fy-Llin Comprehensive in Powys, said, "This game provides the perfect opportunity for students to experience, as real as possible, the running of a business.
"This reality element, along with students' excitement about gaming, means this game is a powerful tool in supporting teaching and learning in business studies."
The game will be offered to every secondary school in Wales free until June 2008. Venture Wales is hoping that businesses will offer sponsorship so that they can continue to provide the software without charge after that time.
Phil Cooper, managing director of Venture Wales, said, "The future of the Welsh economy depends on the development of entrepreneurial skills within our schoolchildren today.
"Venture Wales is proud to be associated with this exciting educational game, which is not only designed to teach business and enterprise skills but will help young people acquire the mindset of an entrepreneur from an early age.
"By linking the competitive nature of business with the competitiveness of Wales national sport - rugby, we hope to capture the students' imagination and help them engage fully with the entrepreneurial experience."
The game highlights the nature of the business side of the modern rugby game and a commitment to support the community. A Welsh language version will be available in the new year.
Former Welsh rugby team captain Paul Thorburn, now strategic development manager at the Ospreys Rugby Club, said, "The Ospreys have embarked on a range of initiatives that will benefit the wider rugby community.
"This online business game provides another example of how sport, and rugby in particular, can provide valuable learning tools for our youngsters.
"We are delighted to be supporting this initiative and look forward to working with the schools in developing the project further."
Any school which would like further information can contact Donna Jarman at Venture Wales on 01443 742888. Details of the game can be found at www.venturegamewales.- co.uk
Copyright 2007 Western Mail & Echo Ltd, Source: The Financial Times Limited
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