A larger project that runs over several months where students take part in an enterprise competition to set up a business to create a product or service. Includes a workplace visit for a kick-off and/or culmination event. Another multi-stage project is a pipeline project where students attend a series of pathway and application support events, potentially leading to an application to one of your schemes. 

Multi-stage projects allow staff to work with the same students over a series of months. Through the enterprise competition, students develop their teamwork, problem-solving and creative skills. The competition element can be really motivating for students, and they also benefit from getting to know your staff and your workplace over a longer period of time. Staff develop coaching skills by guiding but not leading the student team.  The pipeline project can be an ideal way to develop a recruitment pipeline.  

Quick Stats – Multi-Stage Project
Time commitment
Several months
Age group
Any year group
Volunteers needed
Coaches + panel judges
Complexity
Higher — most sustained
Timetable – Multi-Stage Project
Example timetables
Example A
Enterprise Competition
Students work in teams to create their own business idea, coached by staff volunteers over 10 weeks. The finale is held at your workplace.
Launch
3:00–4:30 pm
Launch event
Students and staff volunteers gather for an event introducing them to your company and the competition brief. Can be held at your workplace or at the school.
Competition — 10 weeks
3:00–4:00 pm weekly
Weekly team meetings
Student groups meet weekly to work on their projects. Staff volunteers attend to offer coaching and guidance — your role is to guide, not lead. Keep teams under 10 so all students can engage.
Finale
4:30–6:00 pm
Competition finale event
Teams gather at your workplace to present their results to a panel of judges. Invite parents and present prizes or certificates. A guest speaker to host adds a great touch.
💡 Delivery tips
1
Keep teams to under 10 students so that everyone can be actively engaged throughout.
2
Hold the finale event at your workplace — it gives students a genuine workplace experience as the culmination of their hard work.
3
Your role as coach is to guide and allow students to experiment — learning through trial and error is part of the process.
4
Be clear with staff about time commitments from the start — set expectations early.
5
Strong school staff engagement is essential — students will need to work independently between sessions.
6
Weekly meetings can be a mix of virtual and in-person to suit both staff and students.
Launch
Weekly sessions
Finale
Example B
Pipeline Project
Students are invited to a series of events about your recruitment pipeline — such as an apprenticeship — moving from a broad insight session through to an in-depth masterclass.
Stage 1
3:30–5:00 pm
Online insight session
A broad online introduction to apprenticeships in general. A larger pool of students can be invited at this stage — staff from your early talent or recruitment team could present.
Stage 2
10:30 am–2:30 pm
Workplace insight day
Students who are more interested attend an insight day at your workplace to learn more about your company and the roles available. Could include a tour, challenge task and networking with staff.
Stage 3
3:30–5:00 pm
Apprenticeship masterclass
Students considering applying attend an in-depth masterclass — online or in-person — to prepare them for the application process. Include current apprentices to talk about their experiences.
💡 Delivery tips
1
Invite a larger pool of students to Stage 1 — the funnel naturally narrows as students self-select based on interest.
2
Include current apprentices or junior staff at the masterclass — their perspective is highly motivating for students.
3
Staff from your early talent or recruitment team are ideal to present at the insight session and masterclass.
4
Ask students to complete a baseline survey before Stage 1 to tailor the events to their current knowledge and interest level.
5
Application mentoring can be offered alongside Stage 3 for the most interested students — providing one-to-one support.
Online session
Workplace visit
Masterclass
 

Conditions for Success

  • Be realistic about how much time your staff can offer to support and communicate to students – be clear about expectations with staff at the start 

  • Have strong school staff engagement as students will need to work independently on the enterprise project  

  • Your role is to guide and allow students to experiment – learning through trial and error 

  • Include current apprentices/junior members of staff to talk at the pipeline events – this can be a great way to engage students 

“We enjoy developing our business coaching skills while getting to know a small group of students.”
“These projects are so engaging as they provide students with real-world experience and valuable support with their next steps.”
“We like the opportunity to learn about the world of business and the opportunity to explore our own business ideas is exciting.”
 

Maximising impact

Additional components you could include 

  • Marketplace – provide students on the enterprise project with opportunities to ‘sell’ their products/services 

  • Work-experience – offer students work experience as part of the prize for the winning team   

  • Application mentoring – could be offered as part of the pipeline project to provide the most interested students with one-to-one application support 

  • Application process activities - such as a mock assessment day task, interview skills or CV writing could be included as part of the enterprise or pipeline project

     

Priming and debriefing support 

  • Provide schools with a briefing pack to prepare students for the various stages of the project – what are the expectations and time commitments required 

  • The celebration event at the end of the enterprise project is an ideal way for students to reflect on their achievements and to share their journeys with parents and staff  

  • Provide the school/college with detailed feedback of the performance of the students – which skills they excelled in – areas for improvement.  This could be shared with parents. 

  • Ask students to complete a baseline survey prior to the pipeline project to allow you to tailor the events and for students to reflect on their current knowledge of and interest in apprenticeships 

Learning Outcomes – Multi-Stage Project
Introduce and Inspire

Having real-life experience of a business situation, students can see how their passions and interests could inform career decisions.

Investigate and Explore

Students are able to design, develop or create something using skills that can lead to a potential career pathway.

Apply and Demonstrate

Students are able to critically assess how this experience has challenged their stereotypes and raised their aspirations.