Young Dragons CIC is a passionate leader in enterprise education, dedicated to inspiring the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers in South West Wales. For over 15 years, we’ve empowered young learners with essential entrepreneurial skills like creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving through hands-on, interactive learning. Founded by Sue Poole and Kathryn David, we bridge the gap between education and business, preparing students for future opportunities. Our projects, including Futurescape, introduce young people to exciting careers in sustainable industries, shaping tomorrow’s leaders through innovative education.
Bringing the World of Work to Life
It has been another busy and exciting few months for the Futurescape Project, as we continue to bring education and industry together and help young people develop the skills, confidence and experiences they need for their future.
Over the last few months we have been working with students across Dylan Thomas, Ysgol Bae Baglan, Cefn Saeson, Penyrheol, Bishop Gore and Coed Cae, delivering weekly workshops focused on essential employability skills. But Futurescape is about much more than what happens in the classroom.
One of the highlights has been getting students out into real working environments. Students visited a John Weaver Construction site at SA1, where they saw first-hand how historic buildings are being transformed into new homes. Another group visited a Morganstone development, giving them the opportunity to experience a live construction environment and speak directly to industry professionals. These experiences are incredibly valuable. Instead of simply telling young people about careers, we want them to see the workplace, meet the people doing the jobs and ask their own questions. I
None of this would be possible without the fantastic support of our industry and delivery partners, who continue to give their time, expertise and enthusiasm to create meaningful experiences for our young people. A huge thank you to RDM, Construction Wales Innovation Centre (CWIC), Cyfle, Down to Earth, Morganstone, Hale and Andrew Scott, who have supported Futurescape through site visits, workshops, guest speakers, employer engagement and hands-on experiences. Their willingness to open doors and share their knowledge gives students an invaluable insight into the world of work. And, of course, our sincere thanks go to our funders, the Regional Learning and Skills Partnership, whose continued support enables us to bring schools and industry together and create these opportunities for young people across our region.
We have also been preparing students for another important milestone – their first interviews. Industry professionals joined us in school to conduct mock interviews, giving students the opportunity to put weeks of preparation into practice. There were certainly some nerves beforehand, but watching students grow in confidence, communicate professionally and complete their interviews was a fantastic reminder of why practical experiences like these matter.
And there is more good news. Our project extension has been approved, allowing us to continue supporting students as they progress into Year 11, welcome new cohorts and expand Futurescape into two additional schools.
The continued commitment from our schools and industry partners demonstrates the strength of this collaborative approach. Futurescape is not simply about telling young people what opportunities are available. It is about giving them the experiences and confidence to start thinking: “I could do that.”
And we think that can make all the difference.
Futurescape 1: Empowering future generations
Futurescape, delivered by Young Dragons in partnership with RD Group and Cyfle, is an inspiring initiative designed to equip young people with essential skills for an exciting future. Supported by the Swansea Bay City Deal’s Skills and Talents Programme, the project uses immersive learning technologies to engage students in primary and secondary schools. With hands-on experiences and industry partnerships, Futurescape is preparing the next generation for careers in construction, engineering, and beyond
Check out the video of the grand final event below:
The Primary Enterprise Challenge
The Primary Enterprise Challenge is one of our flagship programs at Young Dragons CIC, designed to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit in children aged 6-11. Through this exciting initiative, we aim to inspire the next generation of innovators by providing them with the skills, tools, and confidence to bring their creative ideas to life.
Working in partnership with with Alison Williams, Headteacher at Craigfelyn Primary School and Swansea Council, the Challenge is aimed at all Swansea primary schools. In addition to student-focused activities, teachers can access free training on how to implement enterprise in the curriculum led by renowned entrepreneurship educators, including Professor Andy Penaluna.
This challenge encourages young learners to work in teams to solve real-world problems, think creatively, and develop business ideas. From brainstorming to pitching their concepts, students experience the entire entrepreneurial journey in a fun and engaging way. The challenge fosters key skills such as teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and financial literacy—essential tools for their future academic and career success.
A celebration of Enterprise
One of the highlights of the Primary Enterprise Challenge is the celebration event that takes place at Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall. Hosted by local legend Kev Johns, schools are invited to attend to be presented with a certificate marking their participation in the project. We have lots of fun and games with ‘Heads & Tails’ a particular favourite.
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