Apprentice star fires up students

Reporter: KAREN DOHERTY
Date online: 17 February 2010

TV “APPRENTICE” finalist James McQuillan swapped Alan Sugar’s boardroom for Oldham College.

Finance and business students got tips on how to avoid the dreaded words “You’re fired” from the former “Apprentice” contestant.

The self-confessed schmoozer who appeared on series five of the hit TV show took part in the college’s first enterprise activity day.

Students competed in a Dragons’ Den-style challenge to overhaul a company which produces personalised pen pots for businesses.

They also received business advice from James who said: “What we are basically doing is showing the students how to apply what they are learning in their lessons to real life scenarios, which should hopefully set them up for their future careers.

“I was really impressed with the great ideas that the students are coming up with.”

Curriculum business manager Pierina Cicchirillo-Bower added: “Developing business skills and acumen for the real world is central to the education we provide on our business courses at the college.

“We aim to create the young professionals of the future and equip them with the skills they will need to succeed.

“The enterprise activity day has given our students the opportunity to gain insight into how to become a successful entrepreneur.”