OKEHAMPTON College students have been taking part in a special competition aimed at developing their business and entrepreneurial skills. The competition is part of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership's Rural Growth Network pilot — one of five nationally, tasked with stimulating economic growth in rural areas. Devon County Council commissioned Devon and Cornwall Business Council (DCBC) to work with pupils at five colleges, including Okehampton College. The idea is to help develop young people's entrepreneurial skills, setting them true to life challenges and to encourage them to work creatively as teams. As part of the Enterprise Day Challenge (run on behalf of DCBC by Education Business Partnership) a whole year group of students were set two tasks. One was to produce a plan for a new housing development comprising 20 houses including an element of social housing. Students were required to come up with a layout, a company logo, internal design, road plan and costings, all to present to a panel of representatives which included Martin Cavanna , director of The Cavanna Group, who co-wrote this challenge. The other task was to design a new range of school lunchboxes for young children. Students had to think about the benefits of sourcing locally produced food, healthy recipes and recycled packaging as well as a marketing plan, slogan and mascot. Students made their final presentations to more than 70 senior business leaders (members of Devon and Cornwall Business Council) and a panel of judges at Dartington Hall on September 12, including Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, Cllr Andrew Leadbetter. Cllr Leadbetter said: 'We were very impressed by all the students. They did a terrific job in researching and preparing for their presentations and came up with some excellent ideas. 'It was a difficult decision but we had to look at how well the group worked together, assigning individual tasks and taking on their roles as well as originality, creativity and business acumen. 'Well done to everyone who took part. I'm sure they all have a promising future ahead of them in the world of business and commerce and I'm confident any employer would be glad to have them on their team.' The winners in the three categories were Holsworthy Community College with two prizes and King Edward VI Community College.