The Classroom to Boardroom (C2B) programme was introduced to Barbados in 2011 and was a joint initiative of the BEF, the Rotary Club of Barbados (a service organization) and Entrepreneurs in Action (EiA).  The C2B project is a learning tool offered by EiA, which is a UK based company, which works internationally with young people to unlock business skills, build confidence and an entrepreneurial spirit in preparation for the business world.

The C2B programme is targeted at the 14-25 age groups. Our strategy is to work across all three key stages of education in Barbados – Secondary schools (running programmes for all schools to participate in), Further Education (Barbados Community College) and University (University of West Indies).  Selected students from each segment will be taken off timetable for 5 days to participate in the programme.

The programme begins with a senior business leader setting a real-life challenge related to his or her business. The students agree to work on this challenge with the company for one week to come up with a viable business solution.  The students are supported by intensive coaching throughout the week.  At the end of the week they present their idea/solution to executives of the business in their boardroom.

In 2011, 50 students from 23 schools participated in the challenge which was set by a local franchise, Automotive Art; the second challenge was set by LIME. In 2012 and again in 2014, Virgin Atlantic sponsored and hosted the programme, and Sir Richard Branson personally set the challenge for 20 students.   C2B was the BEF’s contribution to the Global Entrepreneurship Week activities in 2014.

Participation in the programme should increase the confidence of students and create an interest and awareness of entrepreneurship through:

• An increased understanding of business and enterprise
• A real life experience of being part of a real business assignment
• Increased skills to aid school learning and future employment potential
• Raised aspirations and self- worth
• Raise the profile of Barbados entrepreneurial talent

The BEF would like to expand the programme to three cycles per annum so that more students can participate, with a total 150 students each year.