Young people across North Essex are celebrating the end of the Earniversity Fast Track Challenge after six weeks of learning, connection, and turning ideas into real results – with some participants earning over £1000 with skills learnt through the programme.
The Autumn 2025 cohort, which ended in November 2025, saw young people from across North Essex grow in confidence, try new ways of earning, and prove what’s possible when they’re given the chance to learn by doing.
The challenge wrapped up with an online awards event on 5 December 2025 celebrating the achievements of the group and completion of the programme.
Some awards included:
• Top Achiever Award: Dilly Roth
• Highest Earner Award: Luca (£1,198)
• Best Final Project Award: Ella Hall
• Community Leader Award: Freddie
The Earniversity Fast Track Challenge is a hands-on, online programme for young people aged 13+, delivered through the North Essex Economic Boards’ Young Entrepreneurs programme. With an aim to show young people the possibilities of self employment and entrepreneurship as a route to a career in the future, participants explored different ways to generate income and build skills, including content creation, freelancing, reselling, affiliate marketing, in-person services, and entrepreneurship. The focus was simple: test ideas, learn fast, and take real action.
Sessions were packed, with participants supporting each other, sharing ideas, and showing real initiative by continuing to would on their own projects outside of sessions. Lesson ratings averaging 4.5-4.7 out of 5 stars, with the results and enjoyment of the programme speaking for themselves. Luca finished the challenge as the highest earner, making £1,198 during the programme by applying what he learned, and other participants stood out for their creativity, effort, and willingness to help others, building skills that will support them in future jobs, studies, or businesses.
“The success of this cohort highlights how strategic investment in young people can have a real impact on both individuals and the wider community,” said Councillor Ivan Henderson, Tendring District Council (Current NEEB Chair)
“Supporting programmes like Earniversity ensures that North Essex continues to grow a skilled, motivated, and entrepreneurial workforce for the future.”
The success of the Autumn 2025 Earniversity Fast Track Challenge shows how practical, real-world learning can help young people in North Essex develop skills, confidence, and ambition—giving them a strong head start for whatever they choose to do next. The Earniversity programme is scheduled to come back to Essex in 2026 to inspire even more young people – watch this space!
The Earniversity programme has now come to an end. To find out more about available programmes through the North Essex Economic Board, visit www.neeb.org.uk
