As A-Level students pick up their exam results this morning (Thursday August 19), the FSB is urging them to remember that they too could be their own boss.

The 185,000-member organisation has issued a timely reminder that starting a business is a credible alternative to costly university degrees and nine to five graduate jobs.

FSB Education Chairman Norman Mackel said:

"After 3 years of exams, A-level students can feel like they are on a production line with university and conventional employment the next steps in the process.  But the world of work has changed significantly over the last few years and young people really do have a choice.  More and more people, at different stages in their lives, are seeing self employment as the more attractive option."

One entrepreneur who achieved success without going to university is Mark Hill from Stourbridge in the West Midlands who established The Brewers Wholesale at the age of 23.  Eleven years on it has a turnover of almost 1.5million pounds and employs seven people.  The business is a specialist distributor of cask-conditioned ales from small independent brewers and won a merit award at the FSB's 2003 British Small Business Champions Awards. 

Mr Mackel concluded:

"Being your own boss is a great aspiration for young people and there is plenty of assistance available to help turn a good idea into reality.  Entrepreneurship is about seizing new opportunities and taking risks which is why it so vital to the economy and what makes it such an exciting career choice."

Ends

Notes to editors

1.       The FSB is Britain's biggest business organisation.  It exists to protect and promote the interests of the self employed, and all those who run their own business.  More information is at: www.fsb.org.uk. 

2.       The FSB is a member of Enterprise Insight which brings together leading business organisations in a campaign to promote and encourage enterprising attitudes, cultures and values in young people. 

3.       Enterprise Week takes place from 15-21 November – a seven day celebration of enterprise and its importance to the future of the country. To get involved log on to www.starttalkingideas.org.

4.       Judging is currently taking place in the regional stages of the British Small Business Champions Awards.  The national award ceremony will take place in London on November 10.  The awards were the brainchild of the FSB and Lloyds TSB and are supported by The Mirror Group and Business in the Community.  See www.fsb.org.uk/general/bsbc.

Contacts:

FSB Press Office (ISDN available):

David Bishop: 020 7592 8113 / 07740 076848

Daniel Mazliah: 020 7592 8128 / 07717 861605