NEARLY 300 budding entrepreneurs had their business skills put to the test in a day of activities that would not have been out of place on BBC1’s The Apprentice.

And Lord Alan Sugar could not have failed to have been impressed with the youngsters from Farlingaye High School in Woodbridge.

The Year 9 students headed to BT’s Adastral Park at Martlesham Heath yesterday for an Enterprise Day.

The youngsters were split into 22 groups of 12 students - each forming its own separate company.

After appointing a chief executive and other roles the students had to emulate a real world business situation by building a car.

As well as sourcing all the parts they were also given a loan to start their company, which they then had to invest in order to get a return on their money.

They were also able to raise funds through “investment opportunities” - such as quizzes and physical activities - and could buy and sell cards that represented the raw components needed to make a car, bartering with other teams and negotiating to get the best deal.

They also had to liaise with the media, negotiate with their union to avoid any industrial action, deal with industry regulators and trade in shares.

The event has been running for more than 10 years and Adastral Park’s Kevin Peirce said it was a great way for youngsters to learn about the world of business.

“The children get really into the day, some websites and YouTube videos were created in the build up to the day and one pupil even got a Twitter response from Lord Alan Sugar,” he said. “We also had new ideas this year that we haven’t had in previous years, including one group who cleverly auctioned off some of their car parts to other groups.

“I think it was the best year we have ever run, the kids were all really into the project and at the end we even had groups chanting.

“We will now go into the school to give an assembly where we will read out the results of the day, like which group won and funny little facts and statistics.”