A NORTH-East college has welcomed the first students to a newly-launched enterprise academy.

East Durham College has the only approved Peter Jones Enterprise Academy in County Durham and recently opened its doors to the next generation of local entrepreneurs.

The Peterlee -based academy was founded by entrepreneur and star of Dragons’ Den, Peter Jones, with a view to encouraging more entrepreneurial activity within the UK, based on a philosophy of learning by doing.

Curriculum director for service industries at the college, Andrea Finkel-Gates, said: “Developing new business and enterprise in Peterlee is crucial to the continued growth and prosperity of the region.

“Students at the academy will follow an exciting programme of learning that combines academic study with real-life business challenges – working with local and national business people as well as starting up and running their own micro business.”

Course lecturer Jill Campbell said: “We are very excited to get the course started, it is a unique opportunity for students to obtain real business skills for the real world.

“Not only will students who successfully complete the one year course gain a qualification equivalent to two A-levels they will get to go to the exciting national graduation ceremony attended by Peter Jones.”

So far, seven students have enrolled at the academy.

Magdalena Idaszewska, 18, from Seaham , said: “I joined the academy because it is a great opportunity for me to live my dream of becoming a successful businesswoman.”

The Peter Jones Enterprise Academy is also hailed as an innovative way for local business people to work alongside young people in the community to help them hone the skills needed to thrive in the competitive business environment.

For more details call Ms Finkel-Gates on 0191-518-5544.