Brazilian stars Afonso Alves and Fabio Rochemback will be at the Riverside Stadium tomorrow (Tuesday April 22) to hand out certificates and prizes at the MFC Enterprise Academy’s Celebration of Achievement event. The players will reward students who have successfully completed the project’s core programme, career planning and preparation for employment modules, and who have gained an OCR qualification in business and enterprise.

The Enterprise Academy has delivered the courses since 2002 throughout the Tees Valley.  Tutors on the ground-breaking programme have used the Middlesbrough FC model to inspire students and help them “switch on” to the topics of business, enterprise and self-employment.

Supported by funding from the Single Programme and developed in partnership between Middlesbrough FC, Middlesbrough Council and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, the Enterprise Academy uses the football club as the model business when teaching our region’s young people about business and the world of work. 

More than 25,000 young people have already benefited from the mentoring, exciting activities and accredited courses on offer. 

Assistant Manager Sophie Hukin says: “There are now more students than ever achieving on our courses. The event will reward the students for their hard work and effort during the course.

“Extra congratulations will be offered from OCR representatives who are attending the event and handing out special achievement awards to pupils. All of us at the Enterprise Academy are very proud of the part we have played in these students development.”

A total of 120 pupils will attend, including New Start and Eston Eotas (Middlesbrough), Bishopton Centre (Stockton), Grangefield School, Blakeston School, Bishopsgarth School (Stockton), Hall Garth Community Arts College and Kings Manor (Middlesbrough).