Exploring Apprenticeships Through Small Business Summer – Corby Technical School
July 23, 2026
Small Business Summer, an Amazing Apprenticeships careers campaign supported by the Edge Foundation, aims to help young people learn more about small businesses in their local communities and understand the unique opportunities available through apprenticeships in smaller organisations.
Corby Technical School embraced the campaign throughout the summer term, delivering a range of engaging activities designed to raise awareness of small businesses, entrepreneurship and apprenticeship opportunities.
All year groups took part in a dedicated Small Business Summer assembly during tutor time, helping students understand the important role small businesses play in the local and national economy. The assemblies also highlighted the benefits of undertaking an apprenticeship within a smaller organisation, including increased responsibility, broader experiences and closer working relationships with employers.
To bring the campaign to life, the school organised a Small Business Summer Scavenger Hunt, encouraging students to explore their local area and identify independent businesses. To increase engagement, prizes were awarded for the most unique small businesses discovered, helping students recognise the diverse range of employers operating within their community.
The school’s careers area was transformed into a dedicated Small Business Summer promotional stand, supported by a themed careers spotlight display board using small business apprentice posters. Information about the campaign was reinforced through digital screens across the school, including local statistics demonstrating the significant contribution small businesses make to the economy and employment market.
As part of the school’s commitment to developing entrepreneurial skills, students also created and developed five student-led businesses through the Dragon’s Den Club. This provided a valuable opportunity for young people to experience the challenges and rewards of running a business, while developing skills in teamwork, creativity, communication and problem-solving.
To further enhance awareness of apprenticeship opportunities, Small Business Summer apprenticeship resources and promotional slides were displayed on television screens throughout the school, ensuring students regularly encountered information about alternative career pathways and local employment opportunities.
By combining careers education, employer engagement and enterprise activities, Corby Technical School created a highly visible and engaging whole-school campaign that encouraged students to think differently about the organisations they may work for in the future.
Reflecting on the initiative, the Careers Team described Small Business Summer as:
“A great initiative to promote across the school, helping students discover local businesses, explore apprenticeship opportunities and develop a greater understanding of entrepreneurship.”
Through its creative approach and whole-school participation, Corby Technical School demonstrated how national careers campaigns can be effectively embedded into careers programmes to inspire students and broaden their understanding of future education, training and employment opportunities.
