The students from Our Lady and St Chad's School each received a Social Enterprise Qualification for Young People after setting up their own business and selling a range of items for a good cause.
Wolverhampton City Council's Youth Service has become one of the first organisations in the country to deliver the qualification, and played host to the 16 year olds once a week as they worked their way to the award.
Senior Youth Worker Paul Beddows said: "The young people enjoyed completing the qualification which gave them an insight into how business works. In this case they also got a better understanding of some of the social aspects of business."
During the course, the students took part in an Apprentice style one-off trading activity, selling fridge magnets, cakes and star signs in their school. The profit they made went towards the school's wider fundraising campaign to send a group of sixth formers to Lourdes in France, where they will provide help and support to sick and disabled pilgrims.
Councillor Val Gibson, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: "I am very pleased that the Youth Service is able to help the young people of our city gain this qualification.
"In doing so, they have learned some vital business skills which will hopefully help them when they enter the jobs market - or even encourage them to go down the road of setting up their own business."
The Social Enterprise Qualification for Young People was developed by the Real Ideas Organisation and aims to reward people interested in working for positive social change. For more information, please contact Paul Beddows on 01902 552273 or email paul.beddows@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
- released: Monday 17 June, 2013