Achievers International is an exciting programme for schools combining practical experience with business theory whilst running a real import/export school company. In 1997 Achievers International and the British Embassy Berlin Office successfully ran a pilot project involving four schools in Brandenburg and four partner schools in Scotland and England. Since then we have been able to partner over 45 German schools with schools in the United Kingdom.

How does it work?

The teachers help to identify interested students of a minimum age of 13. The students then form their company and get elected to their positions. Teachers provide support at key stages and act as advisors and facilitators. Teachers and students are given a password, which allows them to gain access to the on-line training and reference material. Once Achievers International have paired up UK and German school companies, students communicate by video-conferences, fax and e-mail. The companies conduct research into their partner's market to determine suitable products for export. These products can be sourced from local or national suppliers. Each company acts as a sales distributor for its partner company. At the end of the programme the members of the company can decide what to do with their profits.

What's in it for the students/schools?

The key objectives of the Achievers International Programme are:

• To assist students in their development of personal, creative entrepreneurial skills and attitudes.
• To promote the use of modern technology within schools, by use of interactive training and reference materials.
• To provide a practical learning context for foreign language skills and business studies.
• To improve students' communication skills by implementing the everyday use of e-mail, fax, video-conferencing and telephone.
• To promote awareness and understanding of other cultures and global issues.

For further information please contact Max Larcombe, Project Manager, Achievers International, Enterprise Education Trust, Enterprise House, 1-2 Hatfields, London, SE1 9PG, United Kingdom.

Tel: 0044-207 620 0735
Fax: 0044-207 261 4539
E-mail: info@achieversinternational.org
Internet: www.achieversinternational.org