YOUNG people from Worcestershire have completed the ultimate business boot camp which is designed to help turn around their lives.

The Be Your Own boss programme is the brainchild of Peter Jones from Dragons Den, and during an intensive 14 weeks participants help create a business plan, research a market and manage finances, among other skills.

All the participants have faced serious challenges in their lives, and at the end of the course they receive a BTEC 2 qualification helping them to find a job.

Twenty-two-year old Deanna Brazier and 19-year-old David Mathews were among those who received their BTEC 2 Certificate in Enterprise and Entrepreneurialism certificates on Monday, July 10, at a ceremony attended by the Mayor of Worcester Steve Mackay in the Chapter House of Worcester Cathedral.

Deanna, who is mother to two children, has now secured a local job as a carer. Her long-term ambition is to set up a nursery in Worcester for children with autism, providing lots of musical opportunities to support their development.

“The course has been hard work, but it’s been fun,” Deanna said.

“Our tutor Beryl has been really supportive, and has let us develop at our own pace. I’ve also made new friends along the way.”

David Mathews is hoping to secure an apprenticeship or an offer of work now that he has completed the course.

“The course has been interesting – it’s opened me up to new skills, contacts and the basics of law,” he said.

Beryl Cuckney of the Malvern Business Academy ran the programme, which was supported by a £5,000 contribution from Worcester City Council. This is the first such course she has staged in Worcester, but had previously run two similar programmes in Malvern.

“The transformation of these young people over the last 14 weeks has been incredible,” she said.

“They are confident, articulate and are taking control of their lives.

"Deanna and David didn’t just want to scrape though the course - they set themselves and have achieved really high standards.”