The Thurrock's Next Top Boss programme for 2023 launched today (Tuesday 10 January).
This year c2c has partnered with Thurrock Council's Inspire Youth Hub to set a business challenge for 11 schools and 1 college in Thurrock.
Cllr Barry Johnson, Cabinet Member for Children and Education, said: "Now in its 13th year, Thurrock's Next Top Boss provides young people in Thurrock with a great opportunity to work with local employers on real business challenges.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for young people to learn and engage first-hand from a major local employer, gaining skills and experiences that are really beneficial to their CV.
"I am personally really excited for this year's programme, and I am honoured to have been asked to be part of the judging panel. I can't wait to see the responses from the young people to the business challenge c2c have set. I would like to wish all participating schools and students the best of luck."
The programme has really evolved since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic began. Today, c2c set their challenge to this year's participating schools and college online. Working with c2c, they now have 8 weeks to respond to the challenge before coming together for an awards evening in March.
Rob Mullen, c2c's Managing Director, said: "We are so excited to be a part of this brilliant initiative. The Thurrock's Next Top Boss programme has a fantastic legacy in the local community so we're really proud to be the programme partner for 2023.
"We have posed a real business challenge that we hope will inspire the students and generate some really creative ideas to support our communities; we can’t wait to see what they come up with over the next few months."
Over the years, some of the responses to business challenges have been bought to life by local employers and young people have really benefitted from being part of the programme. At the launch event today, a legacy film (below) was also shared which gives an incredible overview of Thurrock's Next Top boss thus far.